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.
Now, at age 39, 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 891 career goals after he scored his 38th of the season Tuesday when he tapped home a beautiful Dylan Strome pass on a first-period power play against the Bruins.
After Tuesday, the Capitals will have eight games left in the 2024-25 season. Ovechkin needs four more goals over that span to top Gretzky’s record.
While Ovechkin is on pace to break The Great One’s record, he has zero margin for error with the regular season coming to a close. If Ovechkin continues to score at his current pace, there’s a chance he could break Gretzky’s record by the final day of the regular season on April 17.
Getting a multi-goal game or two would go a long way toward helping his chances. He’s accomplished that five times this season, but only once since late November. Here’s a look at the upcoming Capitals schedule and how many goals those opponents allow per game.
Capitals Upcoming Schedule
- April 1: at Bruins (3.28)
- April 2: at Hurricanes (2.64)
- April 4: vs. Blackhawks (3.59)
- April 6: at Islanders (3.06)
Ovechkin currently has 1,614 total points (891 goals, 723 assists) in his professional career. On March 9, Ovechkin became the 11th player in NHL history to reach 1,600 points.
Ovechkin scored 42 goals during the 2022-23 season, and has tallied at least 41 goals in 13 of his 19 NHL seasons.
He made 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.
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 star forward for the Washington Capitals, is on the brink of making history. With just four goals separating him from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record for most career goals in the NHL, hockey fans around the world are eagerly watching and waiting to see if Ovechkin can achieve this incredible feat.
Ovechkin, known for his powerful shot and goal-scoring prowess, has been a dominant force in the NHL since he entered the league in 2005. Over the course of his career, he has consistently been among the league leaders in goals scored, winning the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy as the NHL’s leading goal-scorer an impressive nine times.
As Ovechkin closes in on Gretzky’s record of 894 career goals, the hockey world is abuzz with anticipation. Every time Ovechkin takes the ice, fans are on the edge of their seats, wondering if this will be the game where he makes history.
To track Ovechkin’s progress towards breaking Gretzky’s record, fans can follow along with his goal-scoring updates on the Washington Capitals’ official website or on various sports news outlets. With each goal that Ovechkin scores, he inches closer to etching his name in the history books as one of the greatest goal-scorers of all time.
Despite his incredible talent and success on the ice, Ovechkin remains humble and focused on helping his team win games. He has repeatedly stated that breaking Gretzky’s record is not his primary goal, but rather a byproduct of his dedication to the game and his team.
As Ovechkin continues his pursuit of Gretzky’s record, fans can expect to witness some truly memorable moments on the ice. Whether it’s a blistering slap shot from the top of the circle or a deft deflection in front of the net, Ovechkin’s goals are always a sight to behold.
So as Ovechkin sits just four goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record, hockey fans everywhere are eagerly awaiting the moment when he finally reaches this historic milestone. And when that moment comes, it will be a testament to Ovechkin’s skill, determination, and unwavering passion for the game of hockey.
