Alex Ovechkin is a goal away from catching The Great One. (Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images)
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect / Reuters)
Alex Ovechkin scored career goal No. 893 for the Washington Capitals on Friday night against the Chicago Blackhawks, putting him one shy of matching Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL record of 894 and two short from breaking the decades-old record.
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The Capitals star got this one on a one-timer with assists from Dylan Strome and John Carlson.
Ovechkin’s goal was his 40th of the season, making it the 14th 40-goal campaign of his 20-year NHL career. He’s currently third in goals scored this season and will likely come up short in his bid for a 10th Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy. Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers leads the NHL with 52 scores.
Ovechkin is also the first player in NHL history to notch 40 goals three different times after turning 35. He has recorded as many 40-goal seasons in his 30s as he did in his 20s.
The Eastern Conference-leading Capitals have six games to play in the regular season. Now that Ovechkin is in striking distance of Gretzky’s record, “The Great One” has begun accompanying NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to every Capitals game until the record is broken.
Capitals remaining schedule
Sun, Apr 6: at Islanders, 12:30 p.m. ET
Thu, Apr 10: vs. Carolina, 7:30 p.m. ET
Sat, Apr 12: at Columbus, 7 p.m. ET
Sun, Apr 13: vs. Columbus, 6 p.m. ET
Tue, Apr 15: at Islanders, 8 p.m. ET
Thu, Apr 17: at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m. ET
NHL top-10 in career goals
1. Wayne Gretzky (894)
2. Alex Ovechkin (893)
3. Gordie Howe (801)
4. Jaromir Jagr (766)
5. Brett Hull (741)
6. Marcel Dionne (731)
7. Phil Esposito (717)
8. Mike Gartner (708)
9. Mark Messier (694)
10. Steve Yzerman (692)
