Ovechkin Edges Closer to Gretzky’s Record After Scoring Goal No. 885
Editor’s Note: Alex Ovechkin scored his 885th career goal on Wednesday night vs. the New York Rangers. This story has been updated to reflect this milestone.
Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin continues his relentless pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s seemingly unbreakable NHL career goal record, adding another tally to his impressive total on Wednesday night against the New York Rangers. At 39 years old, the Capitals captain is showcasing remarkable longevity and unwavering skill, keeping the hockey world captivated as he closes in on a historic achievement.
Ovechkin entered this season with the daunting task of scoring 42 goals to surpass Gretzky’s benchmark of 894, a record that has stood tall since 1999. The pressure is immense, but Ovechkin has consistently demonstrated his ability to thrive under the spotlight. With his latest goal, he now sits just nine goals shy of rewriting the NHL record books.
This season has been a rollercoaster for Ovechkin. He started on a tear, netting 15 goals in his first 18 games, fueling speculation that he might shatter the record sooner rather than later. However, a fractured left fibula suffered in a November 18th game against the Utah Hockey Club temporarily derailed his momentum. The injury sidelined him for a significant period, casting doubt on his ability to reach the 42-goal target this season.
Despite the setback, Ovechkin has shown incredible resilience since returning to the ice on December 28th. He has scored 16 goals in that time, proving that his scoring touch remains as potent as ever. His determination and commitment to the chase are evident in every shift, every shot, and every celebration.
Beyond the pursuit of Gretzky’s record, Ovechkin has achieved several other milestones this season, further solidifying his place among hockey’s all-time greats. He moved into second place for consecutive 20-goal seasons, reaching the mark for the 20th straight year, showcasing his remarkable consistency. He also set a new record for the number of different goalies he has scored against, a testament to his adaptability and versatility in finding the back of the net. Furthermore, he tied records for game-winning goals and the most franchises against which he has recorded a hat trick, highlighting his impact on crucial moments of the game. Ovechkin also became the first player in NHL history to score 200 goals in three different decades, a feat that speaks volumes about his enduring talent and ability to adapt to the evolving landscape of the sport.
With 22 games remaining in the regular season, the race against time is on. Ovechkin needs to maintain a scoring pace of approximately one goal every other game to eclipse Gretzky’s record before the season concludes. While this is certainly achievable for a player of Ovechkin’s caliber, it is by no means guaranteed. The intensity of the games will only increase as teams battle for playoff positioning, and opponents will undoubtedly focus their defensive efforts on containing Ovechkin’s offensive prowess.
If Ovechkin falls short of breaking the record this season, he will have one more year on his current contract to continue the chase. The prospect of witnessing him surpass Gretzky next season would undoubtedly generate even more excitement and anticipation among hockey fans worldwide.
Let’s take a closer look at where Ovechkin currently stands in his pursuit of Gretzky’s record:
- Career Goals: Ovechkin has 885 career goals.
- Goals Needed: Ovechkin needs 9 goals to break Gretzky’s record.
- Season Stats: Ovechkin has 31 goals and 17 assists in 46 games this season.
Factoring in the 16 games he missed due to injury, his current scoring rate translates to a projected 45-goal pace over a full season, suggesting he remains capable of reaching the 42-goal mark required to break the record this year.
In a recent game against Ottawa, the Capitals secured a 5-4 shootout victory, snapping a three-game losing streak. However, Ovechkin was held without a point despite registering five shots on goal. Senators goalie Linus Ullmark made several impressive saves, denying Ovechkin on multiple occasions.
Looking ahead, the Capitals will continue their push towards the playoffs, and Ovechkin will undoubtedly be a key factor in their success. His scoring ability, leadership, and unwavering determination make him a force to be reckoned with on the ice.
Ovechkin has consistently performed well against the New York Rangers throughout his career, with 46 goals in 76 regular-season games against them. This historical success could bode well for his chances of adding to his goal total in future matchups against the Rangers.
Here’s a breakdown of Ovechkin’s career goals by type:
- Even Strength: 559, third overall in NHL history.
- Power Play: 320, an NHL record.
- Short-Handed: 5
- Empty Net: 64, an NHL record.
- Game-Winning Goals: 135, tied for first with Jaromir Jagr.
- Overtime Goals: 27, an NHL record.
- Multi-Goal Games: 178, second overall.
- Goalies Scored Against: 181, an NHL record.
- Hat Tricks: 32, tied for fifth overall. Ovechkin has recorded hat tricks against 20 different franchises, tying Brett Hull’s record.
- 20-Goal Seasons: 20, tied for second in NHL history.
- 30-Goal Seasons: 19, an NHL record.
- 40-Goal Seasons: 13, an NHL record.
Ovechkin’s dominance in empty-net goals is particularly noteworthy, as he holds the NHL record with 64, surpassing Gretzky, who had 56. This demonstrates his ability to capitalize on late-game opportunities when opponents pull their goalies in an attempt to tie the score.
The top 21 NHL all-time goal scorers all have at least 600 goals. With the exception of Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, and Jaromir Jagr, who are still active players, all of the players on this list have been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. This highlights the elite company that Ovechkin is keeping as he continues his pursuit of Gretzky’s record.
Here is a list of the top 21 NHL all-time goal scorers:
- Wayne Gretzky, 894 goals in 1,487 games
- Alex Ovechkin, 885 goals in 1,472 games
- Gordie Howe, 801 goals in 1,767 games
- Jaromir Jagr, 766 goals in 1,733 games
- Brett Hull, 741 goals in 1,269 games
- Marcel Dionne, 731 in 1,348 games
- Phil Esposito, 717 goals in 1,282 games
- Mike Gartner, 708 goals in 1,432 games
- Mark Messier, 694 goals in 1,756 games
- Steve Yzerman, 692 goals in 1,514 games
- Mario Lemieux, 690 goals in 915 games
- Teemu Selanne, 684 goals in 1,451 games
- Luc Robitaille, 668 goals in 1,431 games
- Brendan Shanahan, 656 goals in 1,524 games
- Dave Andreychuk, 640 goals in 1,639 games
- Jarome Iginla, 625 goals in 1,554 games
- Joe Sakic, 625 goals in 1,378 games
- Sidney Crosby, 611 goals in 1,333 games
- Bobby Hull, 610 goals in 1,063 games
- Dino Ciccarelli, 608 goals in 1,232 games
- Jari Kurri, 601 goals in 1,251 games
As Ovechkin continues his quest to break Gretzky’s record, hockey fans around the world will be watching with bated breath, eager to witness history in the making. Whether he achieves the feat this season or next, Ovechkin’s legacy as one of the greatest goal scorers in NHL history is already firmly established.
