Alexander Ovechkin’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL goal-scoring record is one of the most compelling and inspiring narratives in modern sports. As Ovechkin steadily approaches Gretzky’s seemingly untouchable 894 goals, his relentless chase of the record has captivated hockey fans around the world, becoming a defining storyline of not only his career but for the history of the sport.
After recently netting his 863rd career goal, Ovechkin now sits just 31 goals shy of Gretzky’s legendary mark, putting him on pace to break the record this season if he maintains his performance. Ovechkin’s consistency, even as he enters his late 30s, has stunned fans and analysts alike. His ability to remain a scoring force at age 38, a time when many players start to experience a significant decline, speaks to his rare combination of skill, power and longevity.
Hockey analyst Eric Lindros sees it only as a matter of time. Ovechkin scored 10 goals in his first 14 games this season, and last season, it took him 45 games to reach the same number.
“That’s regular Alex, right?” Lindros said. “You know, he’ll miss a game, and he’ll come back and he’ll bang in two.”
The Washington Capitals have demonstrated potential as one of the NHL’s most improved teams during the offseason, sitting in third place in the Metropolitan division as of last Sunday. The acquisitions of talent in both the offense and defense with Pierre-Luc Dubois, Andrew Mangiapane, Jakob Chychrun and Matt Roy have proved a talented supporting cast, setting the table for Ovechkin to make himself the NHL’s all-time leading goal-scorer. The Great 8 also stands just 3 assists away from hitting a career 700, and 6 more game-winning goals would also tie him with Jaromir Jagr for the most of all time, 135.
Every goal Ovechkin scores now carries extra weight in his historic chase. One of the key moments in this pursuit include surpassing Marcel Dionne for fifth place on the all-time goal-scoring list in late 2022, after career goals No. 731 and 732 in the season opener. Ovechkin also entered the Top Three after his 767th career goal put him past Jaromir Jagr to claim third on the top-scorer list in 477 fewer games played. This milestone established him as the greatest European goal-scorer of all time. Additionally, Ovechkin’s 800th goal, which came against the Winnipeg Jets in 2022, was a massive celebration. He joined Gordie Howe and Gretzky on the league’s most exclusive goals list.
The reaction to Ovechkin’s chase of Gretzky’s record has been a blend of admiration, anticipation and excitement. Fans have rallied behind the Russian, marveling at his ability to continue scoring at such a high level in his late 30s, especially in an era where speed and skill dominate the game. While fans remain enthusiastic about his pursuits, Ovechkin’s age is of notable concern for many. Late 30s tend to pose a decline in the physical ability of many NHL stars, and there are those who wonder if his age might catch up with him before he can reach 894 goals.
Another challenge is the evolving nature of the NHL. The game has become faster and more defensive, and while Ovechkin’s shot remains as powerful as ever, the overall style of play has shifted. Some critics argue that the current era of the NHL is more challenging for goal-scorers than the high-scoring days of the 1980s, when Gretzky was at his peak. However, this line of thinking is often countered by those who point out that Ovechkin has remained consistent in a variety of games and styles, adapting to changes in the game without losing his ability to dominate.
The challenges faced by Ovechkin make his efforts more than just a race to pass an iconic number; his pursuit is a celebration of his career, his talent, and his perseverance. Former and current players have also offered their admiration. Stars like Sidney Crosby, Steven Stamkos and Auston Matthews have called Ovechkin’s pursuit “unbelievable” and “inspiring.” Even Gretzky himself has been effusive in his praise.
“It’s just a matter of time [that he breaks the record], whether it’s late this year, early next year, whenever. I mean, he’s a great player. He’s a great goal-scorer,” Gretzky told NHL.com.
As Ovechkin nears Gretzky’s record, the question of his legacy looms large. While Gretzky’s record was long considered untouchable, Ovechkin’s relentless goal-scoring and unyielding drive have reshaped the conversation about what it means to be the greatest goal-scorer in history. If Ovechkin does surpass Gretzky, it will not only solidify his place as one of the greatest players ever, but it will also set a new benchmark of future generations of players.
For the league, Ovechkin’s pursuit is a reminder of how important the individual star is to the growth of the sport. As young players like Matthews, Connor McDavid and Jack Hughes emerge as the future faces of the NHL, Ovechkin represents the last vestiges of an era in which players had to fight through more physicality, fewer rules protecting them, and a generally tougher style of play. His success in this modern, faster era will serve as an inspiration for young players coming up through the ranks.
