Ovechkin on track to break Gretzky’s NHL career scoring record – NBC4 Washington

Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is closing in on Wayne Gretzky’s NHL career goals record of 894.

Ovechkin has 871 goals and needs 24 to set a new record.

Ovechkin started the season at age 42, without breaking a record set by “The Great One,” which seemed unattainable for a long time. The 39-year-old Russian is in his 20th NHL season and was on pace to reach 895 points in February before breaking his left leg in a shin-to-shin collision in November. He missed 16 games but resumed his pursuit in Toronto in the Capitals’ first game after the Christmas break.

The last goal was scored by Alex Ovechkin

Ovechkin scored a power-play goal in the second period against Minnesota on Thursday night, his 28th in 47 games against Marc-Andre Fleury. This is the highest Ovechkin has achieved of any goaltender.

What records does Ovechkin already have?

Ovechkin already holds the NHL record for power play goals and shots on goal.

He has also scored 132 game-winning goals, four away from breaking Jaromir Jagr’s mark (135). Ovechkin has scored against 178 different goalies and counting, putting him tied with Jagr. Ovechkin has 177 multi-goal games, second only to Gretzky (189).

Earlier this season, Ovechkin became the 60th player to record 700 career assists. He joined Gretzky, Gordie Howe, Jagr, Marcel Dionne and Phil Esposito as the only players with 700 goals and 700 assists.

Who are the NHL’s top scorers?

After passing Mike Gartner (708), Esposito (717), Dionne (731), Brett Hull (741) and Jagr (766), Ovechkin scored goal number 802 on December 23, 2022, moving into second place of all time behind Gretzky (894).

Who previously held the record for career goals?

Gretzky has held the record since his 802nd goal on March 23, 1994, when he passed Howe. He added 92 more before retiring in 1999 after a total of 1,487 games over 20 seasons.

Gretzky holds 55 NHL records, and even if his goal mark falls to Ovechkin – something he says he’s happy about – two seem truly untouchable: 2,857 total points and 1,963 assists, more than anyone else in goals and assists combined.