Alex Ovechkin is now just one goal away from tying Wayne Gretzky`s legendary NHL record of 894 career goals. The Washington Capitals` star player achieved his 893rd goal in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday, also marking his 40th goal of the current 2024-25 season.
Dylan Strome, a forward for the Capitals, passed the puck to Ovechkin from behind the net. Ovechkin then unleashed a powerful one-timer shot that hit the post and then bounced off Blackhawks goalie Spencer Knight and into the net.
The NHL`s top five all-time goal scorers are:
- Wayne Gretzky, 894
- Alex Ovechkin, 893
- Gordie Howe, 801
- Jaromir Jagr, 766
- Brett Hull, 741
Ovechkin`s goal count is significantly higher than the next active player, Sidney Crosby, who trails by over 370 goals.
This season marks Ovechkin`s 14th 40-goal season, extending his own record in this category. Only Wayne Gretzky (12), Mario Lemieux (10), and Marcel Dionne (10) have reached at least ten 40-goal seasons. Among active players, Steven Stamkos is the closest with seven.
At 39 years old, Ovechkin is the second-oldest player in NHL history to achieve a 40-goal season. Gordie Howe holds the record, scoring 44 goals at age 40 in the 1968-69 season.
Ovechkin`s performance this season is particularly impressive considering he suffered a broken fibula in November, causing him to miss over a month of play. Despite the injury, he quickly returned to form, scoring in his first two games back. His current goals-per-60-minutes rate is on pace to be a career best, and his goals-per-game rate is the highest since the 2019-20 season.
Furthermore, Ovechkin`s goals are contributing to team success. The Capitals were the first NHL team to secure a playoff spot and are currently leading the Eastern Conference.
With Ovechkin nearing Gretzky`s record, upcoming games for Ovechkin and the Capitals include:
- April 6: at Islanders
- April 10: vs. Hurricanes
- April 12: at Blue Jackets
- April 13: vs. Blue Jackets
- April 15: at Islanders
- April 17: at Penguins
