Alex Ovechkin, widely regarded as the NHL’s greatest goal scorer, leaves a lasting impression on anyone who faces him, especially with his powerful shots. Recently, the Philadelphia Flyers’ defenseman Egor Zamula experienced a rare moment of relief when he did not have to face Ovechkin directly during the “Match of the Year” in Russia. This friendly game brought together NHL and KHL stars, ending in a lopsided 15-3 win that gave Zamula the opportunity to share the ice with Ovechkin rather than challenge him.
Talking to Sov-Sport, Zamula highlighted the unique experience of playing alongside Ovechkin instead of against him and shared insights on the sheer force behind Ovechkin’s shots—a force feared by defenders throughout the league.
Defenders’ Dilemma: The Brutal Power of Ovechkin’s Shots
Zamula’s comments reveal how dangerous Ovechkin’s powerful shots are to those trying to block them. He described how, over the years, several defenders have suffered serious injuries from attempting to stop Ovechkin’s relentless firepower.
“Yes, that’s the only joy, that you didn’t have to play against him [on the penalty kill],”
Zamula told Sov-Sport’s Nikita Plokhikh.
“And you know who to pass to, who can score. His shots break bones, legs. We had a couple of defenders sit under his shots a year ago, two years ago, and they were all out for a long time. Therefore, before sitting down, you either need to do it correctly or think about how to intercept the puck.”
—Egor Zamula, Philadelphia Flyers Defenseman
He also acknowledged the difficulty of finding ways to defend against Ovechkin, who has consistently scored in nearly every game over many years.
“How to defend against Ovechkin? You see, for many years now, Sasha Ovechkin has been scoring almost every game, and it is difficult to find a way to contain him.”
—Egor Zamula, Philadelphia Flyers Defenseman
Ovechkin’s Shot Speed and Its Consequences
Ovechkin’s shot speed remains elite well into his late 30s, as confirmed by NHL Edge Stats from the previous season. His top shot speed reached 98.96 miles per hour, ranking him among the fastest forwards in the league. Additionally, he maintained an average shot speed of 67.84 mph and was second in the NHL for shots exceeding 90 mph with 29 such attempts.
These blistering speeds explain why his shots can be dangerous—even for teammates—leading to injuries that linger for long periods.
Veteran Players Recall Painful Encounters with Ovechkin’s Shots
Radko Gudas, a former Washington Capitals defenseman who played alongside Ovechkin, shared his experience blocking one of Ovechkin’s shots, which left a severe bruise on his arm that turned black and blue the next day.
“[Gudas] also told me about a shot he took from Ovechkin underneath the right shoulder pad on his tricep,”
said Al Koken of Monumental Sports Network.
“He said he looked at it after the game. ‘Oh, there’s a bruise.’ He woke up the next morning, guys — the entire arm, black and blue. He said he learned a valuable lesson on how not to block an Alex Ovechkin shot.”
—Al Koken, Monumental Sports Network
Ovechkin’s powerful shots have also caused injuries to Utah Hockey Club’s goalie Connor Ingram, who was hurt by a high shot near the collarbone during a game, and to Tampa Bay Lightning defensemen Erik Cernak and Mikhail Sergachev, who were injured by Ovechkin’s one-timers on the same power play. Other players affected include Alex Tanguay, whose jaw was broken by a slap shot, and Kevin Klein, who suffered a broken arm from a wrist shot.
Ovechkin’s Own Teammates Bear the Brunt of His Shots
Goalies like Ilya Samsonov and Vitek Vanecek, who work closely with Ovechkin in practice, can also attest to the power behind his shots. Braden Holtby, another former Washington Capitals goaltender, reflected on the need for Ovechkin to limit his shot power during team sessions to avoid injuring teammates accidentally.
“Oh, we’ve had our run-ins in the past,”
Holtby told NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti in 2019.
“I think that’s why he doesn’t do that too often anymore. I think he realizes how powerful it is and how dangerous it can be when your own teammate is in there.”
—Braden Holtby, Former Washington Capitals Goaltender
Ovechkin’s renowned shot power was recognized in 2018 when he won the NHL All-Star Skills Hardest Shot competition with a 101.3 mph slap shot. He is one of only three forwards to have secured this title since the contest began in 1990, underscoring his rare combination of skill and strength.
The Continued Threat of Ovechkin’s Powerful NHL Shots
Even as he approaches his 40s, Alex Ovechkin’s ability to deliver shots that can injure opponents remains undeniable. His impact on the ice goes well beyond scoring goals—it can physically challenge defenders and keep netminders on edge. For NHL teams and players, facing Ovechkin continues to demand vigilance, respect, and sometimes physical sacrifice to contain his offense.
As Ovechkin’s career extends, his powerful NHL shots will likely continue to be a source of anxiety for defenders and a key factor in his lasting legacy as one of hockey’s most formidable goal scorers.