Alex Ovechkin is closing in on Wayne Gretzky's NHL goals record, a milestone that has captivated fans and rekindled discussions about the greatest players in hockey history.
Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is on the verge of shattering Wayne Gretzky 's long-standing NHL goals record of 894. Ovechkin currently boasts 878 goals, needing just 17 more to claim the coveted title. He entered the season trailing Gretzky by 42 goals, a seemingly insurmountable gap that has gradually narrowed. The 39-year-old Russian veteran, in his 20th NHL season, was poised to reach 895 goals in February before suffering a broken left leg in a collision during a November game.
He missed 16 games but resumed his quest against the Florida Panthers, the defending Stanley Cup champions, in the Capitals' first game after the Christmas break. In a dramatic turn of events, with the Capitals leading 6-3 in the closing seconds, Ovechkin capitalized on an empty net, firing the puck in as the game concluded. Replays confirmed that the shot crossed the line with 0.1 seconds remaining, securing a 6-3 victory. Ovechkin already holds the NHL records for power-play goals and shots on goal. He's also amassed 134 game-winning goals, just two shy of Jaromir Jagr's record of 135. Ovechkin's impressive scoring prowess extends to having scored against 179 goaltenders, surpassing Jagr's previous record by netting his 874th goal against Leevi Merilainen of the Senators. Adding to his accolades, he has 177 multi-goal games, second only to Gretzky's 189. Earlier this season, Ovechkin achieved another milestone, becoming the 60th player to record 700 career assists. He now joins an exclusive group of elite players, including Gretzky, Gordie Howe, Jagr, Marcel Dionne, and Phil Esposito, who have both scored 700 goals and 700 assists. Gretzky has reigned supreme as the goals record holder since March 23, 1994, when he surpassed Howe with his 802nd goal. He subsequently added 92 more goals before retiring in 1999 after a remarkable 20-season career spanning 1,487 games. Gretzky's dominance in the NHL is undeniable, holding a staggering 55 NHL records. Even if Ovechkin surpasses his goals record, which Gretzky has expressed excitement about, two records appear to be firmly out of reach: Gretzky's unmatched 2,857 total points and 1,963 assists, exceeding any other player's combined goals and assists. Furthermore, Gretzky holds the record for most playoff goals with 122, while Ovechkin has 72. Gretzky also boasts 56 goals in the World Hockey Association regular season and playoffs, while Ovechkin has 57 from his time in the Russia-based KHL
Alex Ovechkin Wayne Gretzky NHL Goals Record Hockey Capitals Washington Capitals Stanley Cup Jaromir Jagr Record Breaker
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