Ovechkin Eyes Gretzky’s Record with 16 Goals in Final 27 Games

ARLINGTON, Va. — With the NHL playoffs approaching, attention is turning toward Alexander Ovechkin’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record. The captain of the Washington Capitals is just 16 goals away from surpassing Gretzky’s legendary mark of 894 goals and has 27 games remaining to reach it this season.

Ovechkin, now in his 20th NHL season, returns to action Saturday when the Capitals face the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena at 3 p.m. ET. He has scored 879 goals thus far and aims to make history alongside his team, which is currently leading the Metropolitan Division with a record of 36-11-8.

“Everyone’s excited about it; looking forward to it,” said Capitals center Dylan Strome. “It’s going to be tough to get it this year, but if anyone can do it, I think it’s him.” Ovechkin scored 15 goals in the final 27 games of last season, but he insists this record chase is not at the forefront of his mind. “Not at all,” he said during a recent media availability, asserting that his focus is on team success rather than personal milestones.

Darius Kasparaitis, a former NHL defenseman, trained with Ovechkin during the recent 4 Nations Face-Off break, emphasizing Ovechkin’s commitment to maintaining his physical condition. “He was just relaxed,” Penguins center Evgeni Malkin said, reflecting on their dinner during the break. “He wants to just enjoy it. Of course, maybe not this year, but 100 percent next year.”

The Capitals hold a significant 10-point lead over the Carolina Hurricanes and are well on track for the playoffs, creating a favorable environment for Ovechkin’s record chase. Through the first 39 games of the season, he has netted 26 goals, showcasing a scoring rate of 0.67 goals per game.

Coach Spencer Carbery noted the importance of Ovechkin’s focus and conditioning as they prepare for the last stretch of the season. “I think this is going to be his best hockey of the year,” Carbery remarked. “You’re going to see a guy that’s highly, highly motivated.” Ovechkin’s energy was evident in practice on Wednesday, marking a shift toward an intensified competition leading into the playoffs.

Additionally, Capitals defenseman emphasized the team-wide benefits of Ovechkin’s pursuit of goals. “It’s fantastic for him, but it’s great for us and it’s great for the game,” he said. Ovechkin understands the significance of the moment; “As a team, all individual success is fantastic and builds towards that. I think everybody knows the enormity of it all,” he added.

While he aims to break Gretzky’s record this season, Ovechkin is also gearing the team towards a solid playoff run, a goal he views as paramount. “Stay healthy, get ready for the most important thing, obviously playoffs, and play the best hockey,” he insisted.

The Capitals are looking to sustain their strong momentum and will rely heavily on Ovechkin’s experience and skill as they tackle the latter part of the season. With the additional anticipation surrounding Ovechkin’s chase, both players and coaching staff are committed to leveraging this historic opportunity for their advantage.