Scoring three goals in the Washington Capitals' 7-3 rout of the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday put Ovechkin 13 away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's NHL career record of 894 that long seemed unapproachable.
Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin took a huge leap towards overtaking Wayne Gretzky’s goalscoring record on Sunday.
The name Tom Wilson used to be synonymous with fisticuffs and suspension-worthy hits in the NHL. But over the last several seasons, the Capitals forward has seen less and less of the penalty box while seeing his point totals rise consistently.
Ovechkin tied Jaromir Jagr’s record with 135 game-winning goals, and the 32nd hat trick of his 20-year NHL career moved him into a tie for fifth with Phil Esposito.
Heading into the Capitals’ final 27 games, Ovechkin has 879 goals during his 20 NHL seasons, including 26 goals in 39 games this season, leaving him 16 from breaking Wayne Gretzky ’s League record of 894. Ovechkin insisted that record wasn’t on his mind during the break, though.
Follow along as the Capitals star chases down Wayne Gretzky's record, including highlights of each goal and the upcoming schedule.
The Washington Capitals host the Edmonton Oilers after Jakob Chychrun's two-goal game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Capitals' 8-3 win.