Alex Ovechkin is well positioned to claim the title of NHL’s top goalscorer ever, yet he faces an urgent challenge as he aims to achieve this milestone by the end of the 2024-25 season.
Following a broken leg sustained in November, many believed that Ovechkin’s milestone goal would be delayed until the subsequent season. However, the 39-year-old maintained an astonishing scoring rate upon his return, which made his chase after Wayne Gretzky’s record one of the key narratives of the NHL campaign.
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Ovechkin still retains a possibility of breaking the all-time goal record before the conclusion of the regular season, a prospect that bodes well for the first-place Capitals.
The Sporting News is monitoring Ovechkin's quest for goal number 895. Below is an update on the Washington Capitals icon's journey.
MORE ALEX OVECHKIN NEWS
- At what point will Alex Ovechkin surpass Wayne Gretzky's goal-scoring record?
- What is the number of empty-net goals that Alex Ovechkin has scored?
- How many professional hat tricks has Alex Ovechkin achieved throughout his career?
What is the number of goals scored by Alex Ovechkin?
Ovechkin presently boasts 894 career goals, matching Gretzky’s total of 894, and stands just one goal away from holding the record alone.
The player, who is 39 years old, began the 2024-25 campaign with 853 goals under his belt; he has netted an additional 41 goals this season.
What is the number of goals Alex Ovechkin needs?
To claim the title of the NHL's top goal scorer, Ovechkin requires just one additional goal. Currently tied with Gretzky at 894 goals, scoring another will make Ovechkin the sole holder of this record.
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Remaining games in the NHL for this season
The Capitals still have seven games left in the NHL season. Since playoff statistics aren’t included in career numbers, Ovechkin’s pursuit will extend into the 2025-26 campaign unless he breaks the record before the regular season ends.
Washington Capitals schedule 2025
Only three out of their last eight regular-season games will be played at home by The Capitals; therefore, Ovechkin’s record pursuit might hinge on away matches against either the Islanders or Penguins as they conclude their regular season schedule.
| Date | Matchup | Time (ET) |
| April 4 | vs. Blackhawks | 7 p.m. |
| April 6 | at Islanders | 12:30 p.m. |
| April 10 | vs. Hurricanes | 7:30 p.m. |
| April 12 | at Blue Jackets | 7 p.m. |
| April 13 | vs. Blue Jackets | 6 p.m. |
| April 15 | at Islanders | 8 p.m. |
| April 17 | at Penguins | 7 p.m. |
MORE: How to catch Capitals games as Ovechkin chases the record
Wayne Gretzzy's National Hockey League goals record
On March 23, 1994, Gretzky surpassed Gordie Howe's milestone of 801 goals and concluded his illustrious career with a total of 894, a mark that remains unmatched for over thirty years.
Prior to Ovechkin's charge towards the record, Gretzky stood unchallenged as the NHL’s leading goal scorer with 93 more goals than Howe. Both Gretzky and Howe were the sole players with over 800 goals until Ovechkin achieved this feat. However, the Capitals’ superstar has been closing in rapidly on Gretzky's mark and appears poised to be the first player ever in NHL history to net 900 goals.
Alex Ovechkin versus Wayne Gretzky by the statistics
Games played
When it comes to games played, Ovechkin and Gretzky are almost indistinguishable. Gretzky participated in 1,487 regular-season matches during his time in the NHL, whereas Ovechkin is set to conclude the regular season with 1,492 appearances should he take part in all of the Capitals’ upcoming fixtures.
How long did Wayne Gretzky play in the NHL?
Gretzky played for 20 seasons in the NHL between 1979 and 1999. Initially, he began his career in the rival World Hockey Association, where players under the age of 20 were permitted—unlike in the NHL at the time—but once the Oilers transitioned into the NHL the next year, his talents seamlessly adapted to the larger league.
Gretzzy participated in one shortened season due to a lockout; the 1994-95 season was cut down to just 48 matches.
For how many years has Alex Ovechkin been playing in the NHL?
Ovechkin is wrapping up his 20th campaign in the NHL. He was selected as the top pick in the 2004 draft, though the 2004-05 season had to be canceled because of a labor dispute. Additionally, Ovechkin has participated in three seasons cut short; once due to another work stoppage and twice attributed to the coronavirus pandemic.
Playoff goals
The difference in playoff goals between Gretzky and Ovechkin stands at 50, with Gretzky holding the title of NHL’s all-time leading playoff goal scorer at 122, whereas Ovechkin shares the 15th spot with 72 goals.
During an age where competitiveness has grown more intense, Ovechkin has not made sufficient progress in the postseasons to rival Gretzky’s achievements. Throughout his career, he has managed to reach the Eastern Conference Finals just one time, which means that even a strong playoff performance this season would still fall short of giving Ovechkin a chance to challenge Gretzky’s legacy in the playoffs.
Empty-net goals
Ovechkin boasts 65 empty-net goals compared to Gretzky's 56. Throughout their careers, both Ovechkin and Gretzky have experienced numerous victories during the regular season, which led to many chances for scoring empty-net goals; however, Ovechkin surpasses Gretzky by nine such scores over his illustrious career.
Highest number of goals recorded in NHL history
Gretzky, Ovechkin, and Howe are the sole athletes in NHL history to have scored at least 800 goals, and Ovechkin stands as the lone current player with over 700 goals.
| Rank | Player | Goals |
| 1 | Wayne Gretzky | 894 |
| Alex Ovechkin | 894 | |
| 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 |