Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin is closing in on NHL history as he chases Wayne Gretzky’s all-time career goal record of 894 goals. After returning from a fractured left fibula, Ovechkin is back on the ice and resuming his pursuit of one of hockey’s most iconic records.
Ovechkin’s Current Progress
The 39-year-old forward currently has 876 career goals, leaving him just 19 goals away from surpassing Gretzky’s record. This season, Ovechkin has scored 23 goals in 35 games, despite missing 16 games due to injury. If he maintains his current pace of 43 goals over a full season, he has a shot at breaking the record this year. If not, he still has one season left under contract to achieve this historic milestone.
Ovechkin’s Recent Game Performances
Since his return on Dec. 28, Ovechkin has scored eight goals, including a goal during the Capitals’ recent 5-4 overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators. His performance in that game featured one goal, two assists, and seven shots.
Ovechkin’s Milestone Season and Career Stats
Ovechkin continues to rack up records and milestones throughout his legendary career:
- Even-strength goals: 553 (3rd overall)
- Power-play goals: 318 (a record)
- Short-handed goals: 5
- Empty-net goals: 62 (a record)
- Game-winning goals: 134 (2nd overall, one behind Jaromir Jagr’s 135)
- Overtime goals: 27 (a record)
- Multi-goal games: 177 (2nd overall)
- Goalies scored against: 179 (a record)
- Hat tricks: 31 (6th overall)
- 20-goal seasons: 20 (tied for 2nd)
- 30-goal seasons: 18 (a record)
- 40-goal seasons: 13 (a record)
Season Highlights and Goal Breakdown
| Date | Opponent | Goals Scored |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 19 | New Jersey | 1 |
| Oct. 23 | Philadelphia | 1 |
| Oct. 29 | N.Y. Rangers | 2 |
| Oct. 31 | Montreal | 1 |
| Nov. 2 | Columbus | 1 |
| Nov. 3 | Carolina | 1 |
| Nov. 6 | Nashville | 1 |
| Nov. 9 | St. Louis | 2 |
| Nov. 17 | Vegas | 3 |
| Nov. 18 | Utah | 2 |
| Dec. 28 | Toronto | 1 |
| Dec. 29 | Detroit | 1 |
| Jan. 2 | Minnesota | 1 |
| Jan. 4 | N.Y. Rangers | 1 |
| Jan. 11 | Nashville | 1 |
| Jan. 16 | Ottawa | 1 |
| Jan. 23 | Seattle | 1 |
| Jan. 30 | Ottawa | 1 |
Ovechkin’s Season-by-Season Goal Progress
| Season | Goals Scored | Career Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2005-06 | 52 | 52 |
| 2006-07 | 46 | 98 |
| 2007-08 | 65* | 163 |
| 2008-09 | 56* | 219 |
| 2009-10 | 50 | 269 |
| 2010-11 | 32 | 301 |
| 2011-12 | 38 | 339 |
| 2012-13 | 32* | 371 |
| 2013-14 | 51* | 422 |
| 2014-15 | 53* | 475 |
| 2015-16 | 50* | 525 |
| 2016-17 | 33 | 558 |
| 2017-18 | 49* | 607 |
| 2018-19 | 51* | 658 |
| 2019-20 | 48* | 706 |
| 2020-21 | 24 | 730 |
| 2021-22 | 50 | 780 |
| 2022-23 | 42 | 822 |
| 2023-24 | 31 | 853 |
| 2024-25 | 23 | 876 |
*Led the league in goals that season.
Top NHL All-Time Goal Scorers
Ovechkin is currently second on the all-time NHL goal-scoring list and closing in on Gretzky:
- Wayne Gretzky – 894 goals in 1,487 games
- Alex Ovechkin – 876 goals in 1,461 games
- Gordie Howe – 801 goals in 1,767 games
- Jaromir Jagr – 766 goals in 1,733 games
- Brett Hull – 741 goals in 1,269 games
- Marcel Dionne – 731 goals in 1,348 games
- Phil Esposito – 717 goals in 1,282 games
- Mike Gartner – 708 goals in 1,432 games
- Mark Messier – 694 goals in 1,756 games
- Steve Yzerman – 692 goals in 1,514 games
What’s Next for Ovechkin?
The Capitals’ next game on Saturday, Feb. 1, against the Winnipeg Jets, will be a significant matchup between two of the NHL’s top teams. Historically, Ovechkin has been dominant against the Jets, scoring 55 goals in 73 regular-season games against them.
With 31 games remaining this season, Ovechkin’s path to Gretzky’s record is within reach. If he falls short this year, his current form suggests he could easily achieve the feat next season, making him one of the most remarkable players in NHL history.
Alex Ovechkin is on the brink of rewriting NHL history. With only 19 goals to go, the Washington Capitals’ captain is proving that age and setbacks cannot slow him down. His incredible consistency, power-play dominance, and clutch scoring ability have placed him among hockey’s all-time legends. Whether he breaks Gretzky’s record this season or next, Ovechkin’s legacy as one of the greatest goal scorers in NHL history is already secure.
