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 890 career goals after he scored his 37th of the season on Sunday against the Buffalo Sabres, closing the gap to 6-4 in the third period. Ovechkin nearly had another goal later in the third, but he was credited with an assist on a tip-in from teammate Pierre Luc Dubois in Washington’s 8-5 loss.
With nine games left in the 2024-25 season, Ovechkin needs five more goals to top Gretzky’s record this season.
While Ovechkin is seemingly 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 Capitals upcoming 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)
Ovechkin currently has 1,613 total points (890 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.
As the NHL season draws to a close, all eyes are on Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin as he continues his quest to break Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record. With just five goals to go, Ovechkin is closing in on the historic milestone and has hockey fans around the world on the edge of their seats.
Ovechkin, who has been a dominant force in the NHL for over a decade, has consistently been one of the league’s top goal scorers. His powerful shot, quick release, and ability to find open space on the ice have made him a nightmare for opposing goaltenders. And now, with just a handful of goals separating him from Gretzky’s record of 894 career goals, Ovechkin is on the verge of etching his name in the history books.
The 35-year-old Russian winger has shown no signs of slowing down this season, despite the challenges of playing in a condensed schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ovechkin has continued to light the lamp with regularity, showcasing his scoring touch and proving that he is still one of the most dangerous offensive players in the game.
If Ovechkin is able to surpass Gretzky’s record, it would be a monumental achievement and solidify his place among the all-time greats in NHL history. Gretzky’s record has stood for over two decades, and breaking it would be a testament to Ovechkin’s skill, longevity, and dedication to his craft.
As the Capitals push for a playoff spot in the competitive East Division, Ovechkin will have the opportunity to add to his goal total and inch closer to Gretzky’s record. Whether he is able to reach this milestone this season remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain – Ovechkin’s goal progress is a story worth following as the season comes to a close.
