Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin is one of the most heralded players in NHL history. The legendary forward already has a ton of records on the NHL history books, 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 883 career goals after scoring Washington’s only goal in a 3-1 loss to the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night. In his previous outing, he posted his 32nd career hat trick against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.
He now needs 12 more goals in the team’s remaining 24 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 1,597 points (883 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.
Alex Ovechkin, the star forward for the Washington Capitals, is on the verge of making history in the NHL. With 12 goals separating him from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record of 894 career goals, hockey fans around the world are eagerly tracking Ovechkin’s progress as he inches closer to this monumental achievement.
Ovechkin, known for his incredible goal-scoring ability and powerful shot, has been a dominant force in the NHL since he entered the league in 2005. The Russian-born winger has consistently been among the league leaders in goals scored each season and has already cemented his place as one of the greatest goal scorers in NHL history.
As Ovechkin closes in on Gretzky’s record, the hockey world is abuzz with anticipation. Every goal he scores brings him one step closer to etching his name in the record books alongside “The Great One.” Fans of the Capitals and hockey enthusiasts alike are following Ovechkin’s every move, eagerly awaiting the moment when he will surpass Gretzky’s legendary mark.
Ovechkin’s pursuit of the all-time goal-scoring record is a testament to his skill, dedication, and longevity in the NHL. At 36 years old, he shows no signs of slowing down and continues to be a dominant force on the ice. His work ethic and passion for the game have endeared him to fans and earned him the respect of his peers.
With each goal Ovechkin scores, the excitement and anticipation build as he draws closer to making history. Whether he breaks Gretzky’s record this season or in the seasons to come, there is no doubt that Ovechkin’s legacy as one of the greatest goal scorers in NHL history is secure.
As fans continue to track Ovechkin’s progress towards Gretzky’s record, one thing is certain: witnessing history being made is a rare and special experience. Ovechkin’s pursuit of this milestone is a reminder of the incredible talent and skill that exists in the world of hockey, and serves as a source of inspiration for future generations of players and fans alike.
