Alex Ovechkin chasing Wayne Gretzky goal mark
Capitals star behind pace, but has two years left on contract
Mike Brehm
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. He was held without a goal Saturday in the final game before the Christmas break.
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 31 games, he is on pace for around 16.
What did Alex Ovechkin do in his last game?
Dec. 23: Ovechkin had no goals on four shots in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. He was also stopped on his shootout attempt.
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 six games, including twice on Thursday.
Ovechkin, the all-time leader in power-play goals, now has two this season.