Alex Ovechkin, captain of the Capitals, is getting closer and closer to tying Wayne Gretzky’s all-time scoring record. In the race to surpass The Great One, the Great 8 has reached a crucial point now.
The ninth season of his career, the Russian superstar is coming off a season with 50 goals in 2021-2022. Even in his 18th season in the league, his signature one-time slap shot from the left dot continues to terrorize goaltenders, making him one of the game’s most dangerous goal scorers.
Ovechkin is less likely than Gretzky to break the record this season because he is less than 100 goals behind Gretzky. However, Ovi would have to break Gretzky’s other record for most goals in a single season and become the first player to ever score three goals in a single season. He still has the ability to significantly reduce the deficit.
MORE: NHL 2022-23 Stanley Cup odds At this point, it seems more like when rather than if Ovechkin breaks Gretzky’s record, but the Washington winger, who is 37 years old, still has a long way to go. Here is a look at where Ovechkin stands in relation to Gretzky’s total number of career goals.
Up to date stats as of January 8
Gretzky holds the NHL record for most goals scored, surpassing Gordie Howe with No. on March 23, 1994, 802 Gretzky broke the 14-year-old record when he put the puck past Canucks goalie Kirk McLean in the second period at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, Calif.
RUSHMORE, SN: Gretzky remains in first place nearly 29 years after Ovechkin’s death. Ovechkin is still more than 80 goals behind Gretzky, whose last goal came on March 29, 1999, no matter how close he is.