Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin is one of the most heralded players in NHL history. The legendary forward has already etched his name in history, but he’s still chasing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record.
Ovechkin is on the verge of becoming the NHL’s all-time goals leader, and he can pass Gretzky’s mark of 894 before the end of season. The Capitals standout currently has 886 career goals after scoring an empty net goal in the third period of Sunday’s 4-2 win over the Seattle Kraken.
The goal, his 33rd of the season, also marked career point No. 1,600 for Ovechkin, making him the 11th player in NHL history to reach 1,600 points.
He now needs nine more goals in Washington’s 18 remaining games in order to top Gretzky’s record this season.
The 2023-24 campaign proved to be a mortal one for Ovechkin where he scored 31 goals, his lowest total in a full-length season since he netted 32 in the 2012-13 season. Ovechkin did have just 24 goals in 2020-21, but that season was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ovechkin scored 42 goals during the 2022-23 season, and has tallied at least 41 goals in 13 of his 19 NHL seasons.
Ovechkin currently has tallied 1,600 points (886 goals, 714 assists) in his professional career. He made even more history in 2023-24 when he registered an NHL record 18th 30-goal season, passing Mike Gartner’s 17 for the honor. He’s now up to 19 for his career.
At this season’s pace, given health, Ovechkin would surpass “The Great One” before the end of the regular season.
Ovechkin will likely continue to be an established force on the Capitals’ top power-play unit, so there figures to be plenty of goal-scoring opportunities. He, obviously, has scored at a much better pace than he did a year ago when he recorded just five goals over the first two months of the season.
CBS Sports will keep track of Ovechkin’s goals throughout the season and keep tabs on how close he is to eclipsing Gretzky’s all-time record.
Alex Ovechkin, the Russian-born superstar of the Washington Capitals, is on the verge of making history in the NHL. With only nine goals separating him from Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record, Ovechkin’s progress towards this milestone has captivated hockey fans around the world.
Ovechkin, known for his powerful shot and scoring prowess, has been a dominant force in the NHL since he entered the league in 2005. He has consistently been among the league leaders in goals scored and has won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy as the NHL’s leading goal scorer multiple times.
As Ovechkin closes in on Gretzky’s record of 894 career goals, he has shown no signs of slowing down. In the 2020-2021 season, Ovechkin scored 24 goals in 45 games, despite a shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This impressive scoring pace has put him within striking distance of Gretzky’s record.
If Ovechkin is able to break Gretzky’s record, it would solidify his place among the greatest goal scorers in NHL history. Gretzky’s record has stood for over two decades, and breaking it would be a monumental achievement for Ovechkin.
However, Ovechkin’s quest for the record is not without challenges. At 35 years old, he is nearing the end of his career, and injuries or a decline in performance could hinder his progress towards the record. Additionally, the NHL is a highly competitive league, and scoring goals at a consistent rate is no easy feat.
Despite these challenges, Ovechkin remains focused on his goal of breaking Gretzky’s record. His dedication to his craft, work ethic, and passion for the game have helped him become one of the greatest players in NHL history.
As Ovechkin continues his pursuit of Gretzky’s record, hockey fans around the world will be watching closely to see if he can make history. Whether he ultimately breaks the record or falls just short, Ovechkin’s impact on the game of hockey is undeniable, and his legacy as one of the all-time greats is already secure.
