Alex Ovechkin scored his 37th goal of the season in the third period of the Washington Capitals’ 8-5 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday. With his goal on Sunday, Ovechkin now needs five 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 890 career goals, has nine games remaining to score the five 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 hit the road to take on the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, April 1. 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 (-170) No (+135)
The Russian winger’s chance of breaking the record this season had dipped to 62% prior to Sunday’s game, according to data compiled by SportsLine. After his goal on Sunday, Ovechkin’s chances now sit at well over 70%.
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 nine 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 Carolina Hurricanes.
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As one of the greatest goal scorers in NHL history, Alex Ovechkin has been chasing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record for years. With the 2025 season underway, fans and analysts are eagerly anticipating whether Ovechkin can finally surpass Gretzky’s record of 894 career goals.
Currently, Ovechkin sits at 730 career goals, putting him within striking distance of Gretzky’s record. However, at 39 years old, Ovechkin’s age is starting to become a factor in his pursuit of the record. Despite this, Ovechkin has shown no signs of slowing down, consistently putting up impressive goal totals each season.
In terms of predictions and odds for Ovechkin’s scoring race in 2025, many experts believe that he has a legitimate shot at breaking Gretzky’s record. Ovechkin’s scoring ability and durability have been unmatched throughout his career, and if he can stay healthy and continue to produce at a high level, he could very well surpass Gretzky’s record within the next few seasons.
When looking at the odds, sportsbooks currently have Ovechkin as the favorite to break Gretzky’s record. The odds may vary depending on the sportsbook, but most have Ovechkin listed as the frontrunner due to his impressive track record and consistent goal-scoring ability.
For those looking to make some bets on Ovechkin’s scoring race in 2025, there are a few free picks that could be worth considering. One strategy could be to bet on Ovechkin to lead the league in goals scored for the season. Given his track record and scoring prowess, this could be a solid bet with potentially high returns.
Another option could be to bet on Ovechkin to score a certain number of goals by the end of the season. Setting a goal total and betting on whether Ovechkin will surpass it could be a fun and potentially profitable wager for fans looking to get in on the action.
Overall, the predictions and odds for Alex Ovechkin’s scoring race in 2025 are looking promising. With his incredible talent and determination, Ovechkin has a real chance at breaking Wayne Gretzky’s goal record and etching his name in NHL history. Fans and bettors alike will be eagerly watching as Ovechkin continues his pursuit of greatness on the ice.
