Alex Ovechkin, the Washington Capitals’ captain, is on the verge of breaking one of the most coveted records in the NHL: Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record. With 894 career goals, Gretzky’s record has stood for nearly three decades, and for a long time, it was considered unbreakable. However, Ovechkin is now just 23 goals away from matching Gretzky’s total, making it increasingly likely that the Russian forward will claim the top spot. As of the 2024-25 season, Ovechkin has scored 871 goals and is poised to continue his pursuit, especially given his remarkable consistency and goal-scoring ability throughout his career.
Ovechkin’s journey to break Gretzky’s record is one of the most exciting storylines in the NHL this season. He surpassed Gordie Howe for second place on the all-time goals list in the 2022-23 season, marking a major milestone. This achievement was significant not only because it put him closer to Gretzky, but also because Ovechkin broke the record for the most 40-goal seasons, a testament to his longevity and continued excellence as a goal scorer. Despite entering his 20th season in the league, he remains one of the most dangerous players, known for his signature one-time slap shot from the left circle, which continues to challenge goalies at the highest level.
As of January 2, 2025, Ovechkin is 23 goals away from tying Gretzky and 24 goals from surpassing him. Ovechkin’s career average of 0.60 goals per game suggests he could score 50 goals in an 82-game season, something he has done multiple times in his career. Given his consistent output, it’s realistic to expect that Ovechkin could break the record during the 2024-25 season, provided he stays healthy. However, a recent injury could delay this milestone, though Ovechkin’s track record of maintaining good health throughout most of his career makes it likely he will eventually surpass Gretzky.
Wayne Gretzky’s career goal record is one of the many that seem nearly untouchable in NHL history. Gretzky famously surpassed Gordie Howe for the goal record on March 23, 1994, with his 802nd goal. He later retired with 894 career goals, and for nearly three decades, that record remained safe. Now, Ovechkin’s chase to break that record is generating immense excitement. He has already proven to be a prolific goal scorer, with a number of outstanding seasons, including his 65-goal campaign in 2007-08 and several other 50-goal seasons.
To understand how close Ovechkin is to Gretzky’s goal record, the following table highlights the NHL’s all-time goal leaders, including the players who are closest to Gretzky’s record:
Most Career Goals in NHL History:
| PLAYER | TEAMS | GOALS |
|---|---|---|
| Wayne Gretzky | Oilers, Kings, Blues, Rangers | 894 |
| Alex Ovechkin | Capitals | 871 |
| Gordie Howe | Red Wings, Whalers | 801 |
| Jaromir Jagr | Penguins, Capitals, Rangers, Flyers, Stars, Bruins, Devils, Panthers, Flames | 766 |
| Brett Hull | Flames, Blues, Stars, Red Wings, Coyotes | 741 |
Additionally, Ovechkin’s career stats showcase his consistent ability to score goals, with numerous 50+ goal seasons, and his nine Rocket Richard Trophies highlight his dominance in goal-scoring. The following table shows Ovechkin’s individual season-by-season stats:
Alex Ovechkin Career Stats:
| SEASON | GP | GOALS | G/GP | ASSISTS | POINTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-06 | 81 | 52 | 0.64 | 54 | 106 |
| 2006-07 | 82 | 46 | 0.56 | 46 | 92 |
| 2007-08 | 82 | 65 | 0.79 | 47 | 112 |
| 2008-09 | 79 | 56 | 0.71 | 54 | 110 |
| 2009-10 | 72 | 50 | 0.69 | 59 | 109 |
| 2010-11 | 79 | 32 | 0.41 | 53 | 85 |
| 2011-12 | 78 | 38 | 0.49 | 27 | 65 |
| 2012-13 | 48 | 32 | 0.67 | 24 | 56 |
| 2013-14 | 78 | 51 | 0.65 | 28 | 79 |
| 2014-15 | 81 | 53 | 0.65 | 28 | 81 |
| 2015-16 | 79 | 50 | 0.63 | 21 | 71 |
| 2016-17 | 82 | 33 | 0.40 | 36 | 69 |
| 2017-18 | 82 | 49 | 0.60 | 38 | 87 |
| 2018-19 | 81 | 51 | 0.63 | 38 | 89 |
| 2019-20 | 68 | 48 | 0.71 | 19 | 67 |
| 2020-21 | 45 | 24 | 0.53 | 18 | 42 |
| 2021-22 | 77 | 50 | 0.64 | 40 | 90 |
| 2022-23 | 73 | 42 | 0.56 | 33 | 75 |
| 2023-24 | 79 | 31 | 0.39 | 34 | 65 |
| 2024-25 | 22 | 18 | 0.82 | 10 | 28 |
Ovechkin’s pursuit of Gretzky’s record has become one of the most exciting storylines in the NHL. His exceptional scoring ability and consistent performance over the years have put him in a strong position to surpass Gretzky, who has long been regarded as the greatest scorer in NHL history. While injuries could present some challenges, Ovechkin’s remarkable durability and ongoing high-level play suggest it is only a matter of time before he breaks Gretzky’s long-standing goal record.
