Ovechkin on track to miss 50-goal mark for first time in 4 years

Few things remain constant in the NHL. But if there's one aspect of the game that seems a given each year, it's Washington Capitals sniper Alex Ovechkin reaching the 50-goal plateau.

After all, Ovechkin has topped the half-century mark in each of the past three seasons, and has done so a total of seven times throughout his career. The only other two players to boast seven 50-goal campaigns? Hall of Famers Mike Bossy and Wayne Gretzky.

But the Russian phenomenon isn't currently firing at the same clip he has in recent years.

Through 52 games, Ovechkin's posted 25 goals, leaving him with the second-lowest goals-per-game pace of his career (0.48).

He's scored at a similar rate twice before in his career, finishing with 32 and 38 goals in the two seasons when that was the case (2010-11 and 2011-12). Those rank as the only two years in which Ovechkin failed to top 45 tallies while still playing roughly a full season (he appeared in more than 78 games in both instances).

And after dominating for three consecutive campaigns, the 31-year-old appears headed for that range once again.

With exactly 30 games remaining in Washington's season, and Ovechkin only halfway to the coveted plateau, he'd have to score 25 goals in 30 games to reach his usual mark. Certainly not an easy task.

Interestingly, there is one player who did post 25 goals through 30 games this season - the Russian's longtime rival, Sidney Crosby.

If there's one other player who can put pucks in the net at that absurd pace, it's The Great Eight. And with Crosby cruising en route to this year's Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy, he'll likely have all the motivation he needs to step his game up over the home stretch.