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 888 career goals after he scored his 35th of the season in the first period of Washington’s 3-2 home win over the Philadelphia Flyers on March 20.
After failing to score against the Florida Panthers on Saturday, he now needs seven more goals in Washington’s 12 remaining games in order to top Gretzky’s record this season. That’s a pace of 0.58 goals per game from now until the final regular season game.
The good news is that is less than his scoring pace this season, which is 0.65 goals per game. The bad news is that still leaves zero margin for error. If Ovechkin continues to score at his current pace, he will break Gretzky’s record on April 17, the final day of the regular season.
Getting a multi-goal game or two would go a long way toward helping his chances, but Ovechkin might see a couple of the NHL’s best goalies over the next week. Here’s a look at the Capitals upcoming schedule and how many goals those opponents allow per game.
Capitals Upcoming Schedule
- March 25: at Jets (2.36)
- March 27: at Wild (2.75)
- March 30: vs. Sabres (3.49)
Ovechkin currently has 1,607 total points (888 goals, 719 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.
As the NHL season draws to a close, all eyes are on Washington Capitals’ superstar Alex Ovechkin as he inches closer to breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal-scoring record. Ovechkin, who currently sits just seven goals away from Gretzky’s record of 894 goals, has been on a tear this season and shows no signs of slowing down.
Ovechkin, who has been a dominant force in the NHL since he entered the league in 2005, has consistently been one of the league’s top goal scorers. Known for his lethal shot and scoring ability, Ovechkin has already cemented his legacy as one of the greatest goal scorers in NHL history. However, breaking Gretzky’s record would solidify his place among the all-time greats.
With just a handful of games left in the regular season, Ovechkin will need to continue his torrid pace in order to surpass Gretzky’s record. The pressure is on, but Ovechkin has shown time and time again that he thrives in high-pressure situations. His determination and work ethic have been key factors in his success, and there is no doubt that he will leave it all on the ice in pursuit of this historic milestone.
If Ovechkin is able to break Gretzky’s record, it will be a momentous occasion for not only him but for the entire hockey world. Gretzky’s record has stood for over two decades, and many believed it would never be broken. Ovechkin’s potential record-breaking achievement would be a testament to his skill, longevity, and dedication to the game.
As the season winds down, hockey fans around the world will be eagerly watching to see if Ovechkin can make history. Whether he breaks the record this season or not, there is no denying that Alex Ovechkin’s impact on the game of hockey will be felt for generations to come.
