Alex Ovechkin’s recent hot streak has him on pace to break Wayne Gretzky’s goal record this season

Alex Ovechkin entered Tuesday 17 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record for goals scored. It then looked like he would end the night still 17 away until the final second of the Capitals’ 6-3 win over the Florida Panthers. 

With 0.1 seconds on the clock, Ovechkin beat the buzzer by firing the puck at an empty net. The goal gave Ovechkin his 25th of the season and 878th of his career, placing him 16 shy of becoming the new record holder. 

Not only has Ovechkin started to heat up lately, but he’s now scored in three straight games and is enjoying some luck. Factoring in luck along the way, it’s now very possible Ovechkin will pass Gretzky’s all-time mark of 894 before the end of this season. 

In addition to his 25 goals, Ovechkin has 39 total points and is a +17 in 37 games played. He missed 16 games with a broken fibula before triumphantly returning in late December to continue his pursuit of history. 

However, when Ovechkin initially started missing games, most figured that his pursuit of Gretzky’s record would be delayed until next season.  

Nevertheless, with 10 goals since his return to action on Dec. 28 and his recent streak, it’s possible we could witness history in the coming months. 

The Capitals (35-11-7), comfortably positioned to be the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, have 29 games remaining on their schedule. And just based on his current pace, Ovechkin would be on track to hit Gretzky in time for the final week of the regular season. There’s also always the possibility he could start clumping goals together and add some multi-goal nights to help expedite the process. 

While the Capitals may rest Ovechkin before the playoffs, it’s as likely they would support getting him as many opportunities as possible to secure the record. The simple fact he shot the puck at an empty net with a two-goal lead and one second on the clock shows he’s not interested in waiting until the fall. 

By the time the 2025-26 season rolls around, Ovechkin could be pursuing the unthinkable milestone of 900 career goals with the record already behind him. 

Ovechkin’s standing as one of the most prolific goal scorers in NHL history has been in stone for years. Since being the 2004 first-overall pick, he has been finding ways to get the puck in the net. 

He scored 52 goals out of the gate during his rookie season and has reached or surpassed the 50-goal mark nine times. Ovechkin’s single-season best of 65 came in the 2007-08 season. 

Ovechkin, a 13-time All-Star, has led the league in goals nine times, won three Hart Trophies as NHL MVP and led the Capitals to their only Stanley Cup title while being named the Conny Smythe winner. 

No matter what happens, Ovechkin has a resume that places him among hockey’s all-time best, but breaking Gretzky’s record, which many believed would stand the test of time, will surely add to his legacy.