Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin is inching closer to an NHL scoring record that many thought was unbreakable. The 39-year-old Ovechkin is within striking distance of Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL goals record of 894, which "The Great One" scored in his final goal on March 29, 1999. Ovechkin could very well surpass that mark, 26 years after it was set.
Entering the 2024-25 NHL season, Ovechkin tallied 853 career NHL goals. He began the season with a bang, scoring 15 goals in his first 18 games. However, his pace slowed due to a broken fibula he sustained in November, sidelining him for five weeks. Yet, his scoring prowess remained intact, as he recorded four goals in his first five games back on the ice.
Ovechkin scored his 888th career goal against the Philadelphia Flyers on March 20, 2025, bringing him to just seven goals shy of breaking Gretzky's record with 13 regular-season games remaining. This milestone was celebrated by fans, who witnessed Ovechkin's brilliance when he netted the goal at the 14:25 mark of the first period during a game that the Capitals won 3-2.
“It's just a matter of time, whether it's late this year, early next year, whenever,” Gretzky told NHL.com earlier this season about Ovechkin's chances of breaking his record. “I mean, he's a great player. He's a great goal scorer.” Ovechkin's pursuit of this historic achievement has captivated the league and fans alike.
To give back to the community amid his chasing greatness, Ovechkin has partnered with Hockey Fights Cancer and the V Foundation for Cancer Research by launching "THE GR8 CHASE for Victory Over Cancer." This initiative involves Ovechkin donating a dollar amount equal to his career NHL goal total for each goal he scores moving forward. Monumental Sports & Entertainment, the ownership group of the Capitals, will match every dollar Ovechkin donates. This partnership demonstrates his commitment beyond hockey.
Throughout his illustrious career, Ovechkin has accumulated a plethora of milestones. His first NHL goal came on October 2, 2005, against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Over the years, he hit several milestones: goal number 50 on April 13, 2006; goal number 100 on October 12, 2007; and goal number 500 on January 10, 2016. Each of these moments are etched in the history of the sport.
Ovechkin's 888 goals put him firmly in second place on the all-time scoring list, trailing only Gretzky. Following him are hockey legends Gordie Howe with 801 and Jaromir Jagr with 766. The race for the record has added an extra layer of excitement to the remaining 13 games this season.
As it stands, the Capitals have clinched a playoff berth for the 2024-25 season, thanks to their outstanding performance over the past few weeks, winning eight out of their last nine games to hit the 100-point mark. With critical matches ahead—against formidable teams like the Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins—the focus will be not only on securing victories but on advancing Ovechkin’s goal total.
Upcoming games include matchups against the Florida Panthers on March 22, Winnipeg Jets on March 25, and the Minnesota Wild on March 27. These games will serve as potential platforms for Ovechkin to further his chase for history, and fans are eager to see how quickly he can reach 894 goals.
Despite the pressure of pursuing a monumental milestone, Ovechkin continues to perform at an elite level, showcasing why he is regarded as one of the greatest goal scorers in hockey history. He boasts the NHL record for power-play goals and has amassed over 6,800 shots on goal throughout his career.
The excitement surrounding Ovechkin's chase for Gretzky’s record reflects not just his individual brilliance but also the spirit of the game. As hockey fans across the globe tune in to watch his every move, Ovechkin remains determined to leave an impactful legacy, not just as a player but as a philanthropist, redefining what it means to be a star in professional sports.
With the season winding down and critical games ahead, all eyes will remain glued to Ovechkin as he inches closer to rewriting the history books. Will he become the greatest goal scorer in NHL history before the season concludes? Fans and analysts alike can't help but look forward to witnessing this monumental story unfold.
