Mar 25, 2025; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates his goal awj with Washington Capitals center Dylan Strome (17) and Washington Capitals center Aliaksei Protas (21) in the third period at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images

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Alex Ovechkin Just 5 Goals Away from Breaking Gretzky’s All-Time Record

The Capitals’ legend is on the verge of surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s historic 894-goal milestone—rewriting NHL history.

Alex Ovechkin is on the verge of making hockey history. The Washington Capitals superstar is just a few goals away from surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s long-standing NHL record of 894 career goals, an achievement once thought to be untouchable.

At 39 years old, Ovechkin has defied expectations, continuing to be a dominant force on the ice. He started the 2024-25 season with 853 career goals and came out firing, notching 15 goals in his first 18 games. However, a broken fibula in November temporarily halted his momentum, sidelining him for nearly five weeks. But true to his resilient nature, Ovechkin returned more potent than ever, scoring four times in his first five games back.

His latest goal, No. 890, came in a game against the Buffalo Sabres, where he found the back of the net in the third period. Though the Capitals fell 8-5, Ovechkin’s pursuit of Gretzky’s record has fans glued to every game. With only four goals separating him from tying “The Great One” and five from shattering the record, the hockey world is witnessing a moment that will be etched in history.

Alex Ovechkin is five goals from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record, but the captain’s team is in a funk that continued Sunday with an 8-5 loss to the scuffling Sabres. https://t.co/zInW2nWVAY
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) March 31, 2025

Ovechkin has nine games left this season to make history, and given his scoring ability, it’s only a matter of time before he eclipses the legendary milestone. But his journey isn’t just about records; it’s about making a difference off the ice as well. He has teamed up with Hockey Fights Cancer and the V Foundation for Cancer Research to launch “THE GR8 CHASE for Victory Over Cancer.” As part of this initiative, Ovechkin has pledged to donate a dollar amount equal to his career goal total for every goal he scores moving forward. To amplify the impact, Monumental Sports & Entertainment, the Capitals’ ownership group, will match every donation.

As the anticipation builds, every Capitals game feels like a historic event. Whether he breaks the record at home in front of a roaring Washington crowd or on the road, one thing is certain: Alex Ovechkin is cementing his legacy as one of the greatest goal-scorers the game has ever seen. Hockey fans everywhere are witnessing history in the making, and the countdown to 895 is officially on.

Image Credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images

Alex Ovechkin

NHL

Washington Capitals

Anamika Shrivastava

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I’ve always loved writing and storytelling, and hockey gives me a perfect stage for endless stories to tell. Whether it’s breaking down a game, analyzing a big trade, or capturing the emotions on the ice, I bring the NHL to life through words. So what’s the best part you ask? Watching the action unfold and turning it into something fans can connect with. To my readers: Hockey is more than just a game—it’s the highs, the heartbreaks, and the moments that make us jump off our seats. So, keep cheering, keep debating, and never stop loving the madness of the sport!