Alex Ovechkin scored his 39th goal of the season when he lit the lamp on a Powerplay in the second period of the Washington Capitals‘ 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday. With his goal on Wednesday, Ovechkin now needs three goals to pass Wayne Gretzky for the NHL all-time goals record. With less than a month left in the NHL regular season, Ovechkin, who has 892 career goals, has seven games remaining to score the three goals he needs to pass Gretzky this season. The 39-year-old will have his next opportunity to add to his goal total when the Capitals host the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday, April 4. Here is a look at betting odds for if and when Alex Ovechkin could break Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record, according to BetMGM.
Ovechkin to break Gretzky’s record this season:
Yes (-500) No (+340)
The Russian winger’s chance of breaking the record this season had dipped to 62% prior to Sunday, according to data compiled by SportsLine. After his goal on Wednesday, Ovechkin’s chances of breaking the record now sit at over 83%.
Scoring method of Ovechkin’s 895th goal:
Even Strength (-220), Powerplay (+165), Shorthanded (+5000)
Ovechkin has scored 28 even-strength goals this season compared to 11 on the power play. He hasn’t scored a goal on the penalty kill since the 2021-22 season.
Team Ovechkin will score 895th goal against:
Ovechkin has scored six goals in his last 10 games against the Blue Jackets, including once in Columbus on Nov. 2. The Capitals have two more games scheduled this season against CBJ, giving their captain more opportunities to score against them. Washington also has two games to play against the New York Islanders and one more against the Carolina Hurricanes, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Chicago Blackhawks.
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As the 2025 NHL season kicks off, all eyes are on Washington Capitals’ superstar Alex Ovechkin as he continues his pursuit of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal scoring record. Ovechkin, who currently sits in second place behind Gretzky with 730 goals, is just 165 goals away from surpassing “The Great One’s” legendary mark of 894 goals.
Ovechkin, who has consistently been one of the league’s top goal scorers throughout his career, has shown no signs of slowing down as he enters his 20th season in the NHL. The 39-year-old Russian winger has proven time and time again that he has the scoring touch and durability to continue to light the lamp at an elite level.
With the NHL’s recent rule changes aimed at increasing scoring and creating more offense, many believe that Ovechkin has a legitimate shot at breaking Gretzky’s record within the next few seasons. The Capitals’ captain has shown a remarkable ability to adapt his game and continue to produce at a high level, even as he enters the twilight of his career.
For those looking to get in on the action and place some bets on Ovechkin’s quest for history, there are a number of prop bets and odds available for wagering. Some popular prop bets include whether Ovechkin will break Gretzky’s record before the end of the 2025 season, how many goals he will score in a given season, and whether he will win the Rocket Richard Trophy for most goals in a season.
In terms of odds, sportsbooks currently have Ovechkin listed as the favorite to break Gretzky’s record, with odds ranging from -150 to +200 depending on the sportsbook. While there is always a degree of uncertainty when it comes to predicting individual player performances, Ovechkin’s track record and consistency make him a strong candidate to achieve this historic milestone.
For those looking to make some free picks on Ovechkin’s goal scoring prowess, it’s worth considering factors such as his health, playing time, and supporting cast. Ovechkin has been fortunate to play alongside some talented playmakers throughout his career, which has undoubtedly contributed to his success as a goal scorer.
Ultimately, whether or not Ovechkin breaks Gretzky’s record remains to be seen. However, one thing is for certain: hockey fans around the world will be watching closely as one of the game’s greatest players continues his chase for immortality.
