Two Away From NHL History: Alex Ovechkin Scores No. 893 In 14th 40-Goal Season

Alex Ovechkin is one goal away from tying Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goals record after scoring for the Washington Capitals on Friday. 

With his 893rd career goal, Ovechkin is just two goals away from standing alone with the most in NHL history. Gretzky is in Capital One Arena watching history unfold and received a standing ovation from Caps fans in the first period.

This opening goal happened four minutes into Washington’s battle with the Chicago Blackhawks. That was Ovechkin’s 40th goal of the year, the 14th time he achieved that mark in his 20-year career. He has the most 40-goal seasons in NHL history, breaking the tie with Gretzky’s 12 campaigns last year.

Defenseman John Carlson played the puck along the wall and found Dylan Strome behind Chicago’s net. Strome picked out the Capitals captain, who fired home a one-timer from point-blank.

Ovechkin beat goaltender Spencer Knight for the fourth time in his career. His shot beat Knight’s blocker but rang off the post. Luckily for Ovechkin, it bounced off the backside of the Blackhawks’ netminder and crossed the goal line.

Ovechkin’s goal against the Blackhawks puts him on a four-game goal streak. 

In his three games leading up to Friday’s outing, along with three goals, he provided an additional three assists for six points.

Since Ovechkin scored early in the game, there’s still plenty of time to add to the scoreboard. He can capture the record with a hat trick on home ice.

Alex Ovechkin Vs. Wayne Gretzky: The Tale Of The Tape In NHL Record ChasePart of what makes Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goal-scoring record so compelling is that the two players are polar opposites in some ways yet stunningly similar in others. 

After Washington’s game against Chicago, they visit the New York Islanders in UBS Arena on Sunday afternoon and return home to face the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday.

Further down the schedule, the Capitals take on the Columbus Blue Jackets on the road on April 12 and at home on April 13. Ovechkin scored his first career NHL goal against the Blue Jackets on Oct. 5, 2005. Nearly 20 years later, he can break the record against them, if he doesn’t do it on Friday or in the next two games.

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