Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin is on the verge of hockey history, now only one goal shy of Wayne Gretzky`s NHL record of 894 career goals. Ovechkin achieved his 893rd career goal, marking his 40th of the 2024-25 season, in the opening period of Friday`s game against the Chicago Blackhawks.
The goal came as Capitals forward Dylan Strome passed the puck to Ovechkin from behind the net. Ovechkin unleashed a powerful one-timer shot that hit the post and then deflected off Blackhawks goalie Spencer Knight into the net.
The current top five NHL all-time goal scorers are:
- Wayne Gretzky, 894
- Alex Ovechkin, 893
- Gordie Howe, 801
- Jaromir Jagr, 766
- Brett Hull, 741
Ovechkin`s tally puts him over 370 goals ahead of the next closest active player, Sidney Crosby.
This season marks Ovechkin`s 14th 40-goal season, extending his own record in this category. He surpasses legends like Gretzky (12), Mario Lemieux (10), and Marcel Dionne (10), who have also achieved ten or more 40-goal seasons. Again, Ovechkin is far ahead of the closest active player, Steven Stamkos, who has seven.
At 39 years old, Ovechkin is the second-oldest player in NHL history to reach the 40-goal mark in a season. Gordie Howe holds the record, scoring 44 goals at age 40 in the 1968-69 season.
Ovechkin`s performance this season is even more impressive considering he suffered a broken left fibula in November, sidelining him for over a month and 16 games. Remarkably, he scored in his first two games back and has maintained a high scoring pace. His current goals per 60 minutes is projected to be a career-best, and his goals-per-game rate is on track to be his highest since the 2019-20 season.
Ovechkin`s goals are also contributing to team success. The Capitals were the first team in the NHL to secure a playoff spot and are currently leading the Eastern Conference.
With Ovechkin nearing Gretzky`s record, here are the Capitals` upcoming games:
- 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
Elton Marrow 
Torin Vale