Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky is the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer, but does Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin have a chance to pass him and break a record once thought unbreakable?
Ovechkin’s slow start this season made that seem less likely, but he broke through Thursday night to end a 14-game goal drought.
‘I think that whole situation, you just have to score one,’ he told Monumental Sports Network. ‘I feel that feeling again and just enjoy it.’
Gretzky, who played from 1979-99, leads the way with 894 regular-season NHL goals. Ovechkin, 38, who passed Gordie Howe last season to move into second place, now has 828 goals and needs 67 more for the record. He’s still behind the pace but has two years left on his contract after this season
Here’s where he stands in his chase of Gretzky’s goal record:
How many goals does Alex Ovechkin have this season?
Ovechkin needs to average 24 goals a season to tie Gretzky’s record. With six goals in his first 30 games, he is on pace for around 16.
What did Alex Ovechkin do in his last game?
Dec. 21: Ovechkin had seven shots and a two-point night in a 3-2 overtime win against the Columbus Blue Jackets. But more important, he scored a goal. It came in overtime on the power play and was scored from his office in the left faceoff circle. But he scored on a wrist shot, not his typical one-timer.
The goal was the 26th overtime goal of his career and gave him 900 combined goals in the regular season and playoffs.
How is Alex Ovechkin’s season going?
Ovechkin had no shots on goal in consecutive games for the first time in his career and only two goals in his first 12 games. He scored three goals over his next three games before going through the 14-game drought, a career worst.
The Capitals’ power play, which is missing injured Nicklas Backstrom and struggled early, has connected in four of the past five games, including twice on Thursday. Ovechkin, the all-time leader in power-play goals, now has two this season.
When do Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals play next?
Dec. 23 at home against Tampa Bay. He has 50 goals in 78 career games against the Lightning.
Who are the NHL’s top all-time goal scorers?
The top 20 NHL all-time goal scorers have all topped 600 goals. All are in the Hockey Hall of Fame, except Ovechkin and Jaromir Jagr, who has suited up this season in the Czech Republic.
1. Wayne Gretzky, 894 goals in 1,487 games
2. Alex Ovechkin, 828 goals in 1,377 games
3. Gordie Howe, 801 goals in 1,767 games
4. Jaromir Jagr, 766 goals in 1,733 games
5. Brett Hull, 741 goals in 1,269 games
6. Marcel Dionne, 731 in 1,348 games
7. Phil Esposito, 717 goals in 1,282 games
8. Mike Gartner, 708 goals in 1,432 games
9. Mark Messier, 694 goals in 1,756 games
10. Steve Yzerman, 692 goals in 1,514 games
11. Mario Lemieux, 690 goals in 915 games
12. Teemu Selanne, 684 goals in 1,451 games
13. Luc Robitaille, 668 goals in 1,431 games
14. Brendan Shanahan, 656 goals in 1,524 games
15. Dave Andreychuk, 640 goals in 1,639 games
16. Jarome Iginla, 625 goals in 1,554 games
17. Joe Sakic, 625 goals in 1,378 games
18. Bobby Hull, 610 goals in 1,063 games
19. Dino Ciccarelli, 608 goals in 1,232 games
20. Jari Kurri, 601 goals in 1,251 games