Ovechkin Scores 884th Goal, Closes in on Gretzky’s Record

WASHINGTON (AP) — Alex Ovechkin achieved a career milestone Saturday by scoring the 884th goal of his NHL career, drawing him 10 goals closer to Wayne Gretzky‘s all-time record.

The captain of the Washington Capitals reached this landmark with just four minutes remaining in the third period against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ovechkin’s goal sealed a 3-1 victory for his team, which now holds the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

This season, Ovechkin has netted 31 goals, with his latest being the 12th scored against Lightning’s goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy in their last 22 matchups.

Despite reaching this significant career achievement, the Capitals faced a disappointing situation as they suffered their third consecutive loss for the first time this season. The team’s recent struggles come amidst high expectations, as they are considered one of the top contenders in the league.

“We have to regroup as a team,” Ovechkin said after the game. “Scoring milestones are nice, but winning games is the most important thing.”

Ovechkin, at 39 years old, continues to demonstrate remarkable skill on the ice, yet the Capitals will need to improve their performance to maintain their playoff hopes. The upcoming games will be critical for the team to regain momentum as they look to solidify their standings ahead of the postseason.