Alex Ovechkin is firmly on track to become the NHL’s all-time goal leader, but he’s in a race against time in his quest to do it during the 2024-25 season.
After suffering a broken leg in November, most assumed Ovechkin’s record-setting goal would have to wait until next season. Instead, the 39-year-old kept up a ridiculous pace once he returned, making his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky one of the defining storylines of the NHL season.
Ovechkin still has a path to breaking the all-time goal record before the end of the regular season, which has treated the first-place Capitals well.
The Sporting News is tracking Ovechkin’s chase for goal No. 895. Here’s a look at where the Capitals legend’s pursuit stands.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
How many goals does Alex Ovechkin have?
Ovechkin currently has 891 career goals, three shy of Gretzky’s 894 and four shy of breaking the record.
The 39-year-old entered the 2024-25 season with 853 goals; he has scored 38 goals this season.
How many goals does Alex Ovechkin need?
Ovechkin needs four more goals to become the NHL’s new all-time goal leader. With 891 career goals, three more for Ovechkin would tie him with Gretzky, while four more would allow him to stand alone as the record-holder.
SN’s NHL HQ: Live NHL scores | Updated NHL standings | Full NHL schedule
Games left in NHL this season
The Capitals have eight more games remaining in the NHL season, meaning Ovechkin needs to average one goal every two games to break the record. The playoffs don’t count toward career totals, so Ovechkin’s chase would carry into the 2025-26 season if he doesn’t break the record by the end of the regular season.
Washington Capitals schedule 2025
The Capitals only play three of their final eight regular season games at home, so Ovechkin’s record chase could come down to road matchups against the Islanders or Penguins when Washington closes out its regular season.
| Date | Matchup | Time (ET) |
| April 2 | at Hurricanes | 7 p.m. |
| April 4 | vs. Blackhawks | 7 p.m. |
| April 6 | at Islanders | 12:30 p.m. |
| April 10 | vs. Hurricanes | 7:30 p.m. |
| April 12 | at Blue Jackets | 7 p.m. |
| April 13 | vs. Blue Jackets | 6 p.m. |
| April 15 | at Islanders | 8 p.m. |
| April 17 | at Penguins | 7 p.m. |
MORE: How to watch Capitals games as Ovechkin pursues record
Wayne Gretzky NHL goals record
Gretzky broke Gordie Howe’s record of 801 goals on March 23, 1994 and finished his legendary career with 894, a record that has stood for more than three decades.
Before Ovechkin’s push for the record, Gretzky was comfortably the NHL’s all-time goals leader with 93 more than Howe. Gretzky and Howe were the only two players with at least 800 goals before Ovechkin reached the milestone, but the Capitals’ star has surged toward the Great One’s record and is on track to become the first player in NHL history to score 900 goals.
Alex Ovechkin vs. Wayne Gretzky by the numbers
Games played
Ovechkin and Gretzky are nearly identical when it comes to games played. Gretzky played 1,487 regular season games in the NHL, while Ovechkin will finish the regular season with 1,492 games played if he appears in all of the Capitals’ remaining contests.
How long did Wayne Gretzky play in the NHL?
Gretzky spent 20 seasons in the NHL from 1979-99. He started out in the competing World Hockey Association, which allowed players younger than 20 at the time, unlike the NHL, but his skills translated to the NHL when the Oilers joined the league the following season.
Gretzky played in one lockout-shortened season, as the 1994-95 campaign was reduced to 48 games.
How long has Alex Ovechkin played in the NHL?
Ovechkin is finishing up his 20th NHL season. He was drafted first overall in 2004, but the 2004-05 season was cancelled due to a lockout. Ovechkin has also played in three shortened seasons, one due to another lockout and two due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Playoff goals
There is a 50-goal gap between Gretzky and Ovechkin in the playoffs, as Gretzky is the NHL’s all-time playoff goal leader with 122 while Ovechkin is tied for 15th all-time with 72.
In an era of increased parity, Ovechkin simply hasn’t advanced in the playoffs enough to keep pace with Gretzky. He’s reached the Eastern Conference Final only once in his career, so even a deep playoff run this year wouldn’t be enough opportunity for Ovechkin to pose any threat to Gretzky’s playoff record.
Empty-net goals
Ovechkin has 65 empty-net goals to Gretzky’s 56. Both Ovechkin and Gretzky have done plenty of winning in the regular season, leading to plenty of empty-net opportunities, but Ovechkin has nine more in his great career.
Most goals scored in NHL history
Gretzky, Ovechkin and Howe are the only players in NHL history with at least 800 goals, and Ovechkin is the only active player with at least 700 goals.
| Rank | Player | Goals |
| 1 | Wayne Gretzky | 894 |
| 2 | Alex Ovechkin | 891 |
| 3 | Gordie Howe | 801 |
| 4 | Jaromir Jagr | 766 |
| 5 | Brett Hull | 741 |
| 6 | Marcel Dionne | 731 |
| 7 | Phil Esposito | 717 |
| 8 | Mike Gartner | 708 |
| 9 | Mark Messier | 694 |
| 10 | Steve Yzerman | 692 |
