Hockey fans really get it—Alexander Ovechkin is the kind of player who never shies away from a challenge, right? I mean, with each shot he takes, every time he finds the back of the net, and those clutch moments that make you jump out of your seat, Ovi is really ramping up his chase for Wayne Gretzky’s legendary all-time goal record. You know, that astounding total of 894 goals has been standing tall for almost thirty years now! But here we are, with the captain of the Washington Capitals laser-focused on that number. Honestly, it feels like it’s just a question of when, not if, the Great Eight will snag that top position. How exciting is that?

Ovechkin started last season’s 2024-25 with 853 goals, and after missing five weeks due to fracturing his fibula, he’s returned in style. Now, on 882 goals, he’s 12 behind tying up Gretzky and 13 behind rewriting history. With each game, the hype is growing, and so is the expectation of seeing one of the world’s most iconic sporting records fall.

Goal Tracker: March to Gretzky’s mark

Goal No. 882 (February 23 against Edmonton Oilers) Alexander Ovechkin torched Edmonton’s Oilers for goal No. 882 in his NHL career. He opened by scoring in the middle stanza, followed by a power-play goal, and closed by jamming in an empty-net goal. Ovi’s got a talent for finishing games strong, and tonight’s game was no exception.

Goal No. 879 (February 6 versus Philadelphia Flyers) Down 1-0 to Philly, Ovechkin delivered in crunch time, blasting in on a hallmark one-timer to tie. The player is capable of delivering in crunch time.

Goal No. 878 (February 4 against Panthers)In 0.1 seconds left on the clock, Ovi registered his 878th goal on an empty-netter. Clutch, of course.

Goal No. 877 (February 1 against Winnipeg Jets)In an exciting game against Winnipeg, Ovi tied up the game late in the third with a powerful goal. The Caps did not prevail, but Alexander Ovechkin treated onlookers to something.

Here’s how the leaderboard stands for all time

The NHL’s top 10 goal leaders

Wayne Gretzky, 894

Alex Ovechkin, 882

Gordie Howe, 801

Jaromir Jagr, 766

Brett Hull, 741

Marcel Dionne, 731

Phil Esposito, 717

Mike Gartner, 708

Mark Messier, 694

Steve Yzerman, 692

Upcoming Capitals’ schedule: Keep an eye on Alexander Ovechkin

If you’re looking to watch Alexander Ovechkin in action while on his way to becoming history, watch for:

Feb 25: Calgary Flames, 7:00 p.m.

Feb 27: St. Louis Blues, 7:00 p.m.

Mar 1: Tampa Bay Lightning, 12:30 p.m.

Mar 3: versus Ottawa Senators, 6:30 p.m.

Mar 5: 7:30 p.m. at New York Rangers

You know the guy’s going to swing for the fences—all objectives bring him closer to the pinnacle.

Alexander Ovechkin’s Greatest Hits: Key highlights and milestones

Ovechkin’s journey to 894 has included some truly iconic moments:

Breaking the 800 Mark: Only the third player in NHL history to have achieved over 800 goals is Alexander Ovechkin.

Power Play King: The NHL’s top power-play goal scorer, cementing his position as a special teams nightmare for opposing squads.

Decades of Domination: The Great 8 is the only player to have achieved 200+ goals in three decades. Talk about staying power.

You know, Alexander Ovechkin is going after Wayne Gretzky’s record? It’s way more than just hitting a number. It’s honestly a moment that grabs the attention of fans everywhere and really shows off what makes hockey so exciting. While Ovechkin is in hot pursuit of this legendary goal, he’s become one of the most talked-about names in the NHL. People are even placing bets on him! The buzz around his chase? Well, it really brings to light the special thrill that hockey brings to the table—it’s like we’re witnessing greatness happen right in front of us. So, you might want to grab some popcorn because Ovechkin is on track to break that record, and let me tell you, he doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.