Alexander Ovechkin Approaches Wayne Gretzky’s Goal Scoring Record

Alexander Ovechkin, one of the National Hockey League’s most prolific scorers, is on the brink of securing his place as the league’s all-time leading goal scorer. As the 2024-25 NHL season begins, Ovechkin is poised to surpass the legendary Wayne Gretzky‘s record of 894 goals. Ovechkin enters the season with 853 career goals, needing 42 more to eclipse the longstanding record.

Last season, the 2023-24 campaign, saw Ovechkin net 31 goals, marking his lowest goal total since the 2012-13 season when he scored 32. The Capitals’ star has, however, demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout his career, reaching the 40-goal mark 13 times in his 19 seasons. His 2022-23 performance contributed significantly to his pursuit of the record, with 42 goals netted that season.

The anticipation surrounding Ovechkin’s potential milestone has heightened as the Capitals prepare to begin their 2024-25 campaign. While the previous year saw a slower start for Ovechkin, who scored only five goals in the initial two months, he remains a critical component of Washington’s strategy, particularly on the power-play unit.

Ovechkin’s career statistics are impressive beyond just his goal tally. To date, he has accumulated 1,550 points, comprising of 853 goals and 697 assists. In a significant achievement last season, he set an NHL record by registering his 18th season with 30 goals or more, surpassing Mike Gartner‘s previous record of 17 seasons.

The Capitals will inaugurate their season with a matchup on Saturday, October 12, and will start with a three-game home stand. As Ovechkin continues his pursuit, CBS Sports will provide regular updates on his progress towards breaking Gretzky’s goal record. While much focus is on Ovechkin’s performance, the team aims to enhance its overall competitiveness with strategic player additions to support its top scorer.

In parallel narratives, discussions are already surfacing about other potential goal-scoring leaders in the coming years. One notable mention is Toronto Maple Leafs‘ Auston Matthews, whose commendable early career performance draws parallels to Ovechkin’s own trajectory in the league. Matthews, at age 27, is still a significant distance from the top of the leaderboard, but his future in potentially challenging Ovechkin’s emerging record is a topic of budding interest.