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 one of the greatest goal scorers in NHL history, Alex Ovechkin has been steadily climbing the ranks towards breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record of 894 goals. With just five goals separating him from this historic milestone, Ovechkin’s progress has captivated hockey fans around the world.
Ovechkin, who currently plays for the Washington Capitals, has been a dominant force on the ice since he entered the league in 2005. Known for his powerful shot and scoring prowess, Ovechkin has consistently been among the league leaders in goals scored each season. In fact, he has led the NHL in goals scored multiple times throughout his career, solidifying his reputation as one of the most prolific goal scorers of his generation.
Despite being in his late 30s, Ovechkin shows no signs of slowing down. In the 2020-2021 season, he scored 24 goals in just 45 games, putting him on pace to break Gretzky’s record in the near future. With his combination of skill, strength, and determination, Ovechkin has proven time and time again that he is a force to be reckoned with on the ice.
Breaking Gretzky’s all-time goal record would solidify Ovechkin’s legacy as one of the greatest players in NHL history. It would be a fitting tribute to his incredible career and a testament to his dedication to the game. As Ovechkin continues to inch closer to this historic milestone, hockey fans everywhere are eagerly anticipating the moment when he will etch his name into the record books.
In conclusion, Alex Ovechkin’s progress towards breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record is a testament to his skill, determination, and passion for the game of hockey. With just five goals standing between him and this historic milestone, Ovechkin is on the cusp of achieving greatness. As he continues to light up the scoreboard with his scoring prowess, fans can only wait in anticipation for the moment when he will make history and cement his place among the all-time greats.
