Alex Ovechkin is on the verge of NHL history, needing just one more goal to equal Wayne Gretzky`s record of 894 career goals. The Washington Capitals` legendary player achieved his 893rd goal, marking his 40th of the 2024-25 season, in the opening period of Friday`s game against the Chicago Blackhawks.
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 Chicago`s goalie, Spencer Knight, before going into the net.
Here are the top five players with the most goals in NHL history:
- Wayne Gretzky, 894
- Alex Ovechkin, 893
- Gordie Howe, 801
- Jaromír Jágr, 766
- Brett Hull, 741
Ovechkin is far ahead of the nearest active player, Sidney Crosby, by more than 370 goals.
While Ovechkin is just one goal shy of Gretzky`s overall record, he has already extended his own record for 40-goal seasons with his 40th goal this season. This is his 14th season reaching the 40-goal mark, which is two more than any other player in NHL history. Only Wayne Gretzky (12), Mario Lemieux (10), and Marcel Dionne (10) have achieved at least 10 such seasons. Again, Ovechkin holds a significant lead over the closest active player in this category as well, with Steven Stamkos having seven 40-goal seasons.
Adding to the impressiveness of Ovechkin`s season, especially considering he is 39 years old, he becomes the second-oldest NHL player to achieve a 40-goal season. Gordie Howe holds the record, scoring 44 goals in the 1968-69 season at the age of 40.
Ovechkin`s performance this season is even more remarkable given the challenges he faced. In November, he suffered a broken left fibula in a collision and was sidelined for over a month, missing 16 games. True to form, Ovechkin scored in each of his first two games upon his return and has maintained that scoring pace. His current rate of 2.2 goals per 60 minutes is projected to be a career best, and he is also on track for his highest goals-per-game rate since the 2019-20 season.
Furthermore, Ovechkin`s goals are contributing to team success. The Capitals, the only NHL team Ovechkin has played for, were the first team in the league to secure a playoff spot and are currently leading the Eastern Conference.
With Ovechkin so close to passing Gretzky`s record, here are the upcoming games for Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals:
- 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
