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 885 career goals after scoring in the third period of Wednesday’s game against the New York Rangers to tie things up at 2-2. Washington went on to win 3-2 in overtime.
He now needs 10 more goals in the team’s remaining 20 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 1,599 points (885 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.
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.
As the NHL season progresses, all eyes are on Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin as he inches closer to breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal-scoring record. Ovechkin, known for his incredible scoring ability and powerful shot, is currently just 10 goals away from surpassing Gretzky’s record of 894 goals.
Ovechkin, who has been a dominant force in the NHL since he entered the league in 2005, has consistently been among the league leaders in goals scored each season. The 35-year-old Russian winger has already cemented his place as one of the greatest goal scorers in NHL history, with multiple Rocket Richard Trophies to his name.
As Ovechkin continues to light the lamp with regularity, hockey fans around the world are eagerly following his progress towards Gretzky’s record. With each goal he scores, the excitement and anticipation build as he gets closer and closer to making history.
Ovechkin’s pursuit of Gretzky’s record is not only a testament to his skill and talent on the ice, but also to his durability and longevity in a physically demanding sport. Despite his age, Ovechkin shows no signs of slowing down and continues to be a dominant force for the Capitals.
With each game that Ovechkin plays, fans and analysts alike will be keeping a close eye on his goal-scoring tally, tracking his progress towards Gretzky’s record. Whether he breaks the record this season or in the seasons to come, one thing is certain: Ovechkin’s place in NHL history is secure as one of the greatest goal scorers of all time.
