Tracking Alexander Ovechkin To Break Gretzky’s NHL Goal Record

By Caleb Tallman | Mar 15, 2025, 4:08pm

Washington Capitals superstar Alexander Ovechkin is inching closer to making history, sitting just eight goals away from surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record.

The Russian winger drafted first overall in 2004 has spent his entire career in Washington, maintaining a level of scoring consistency rarely seen in NHL history. His ability to stay healthy and produce at an elite level year after year has put him in a position to challenge what was once thought to be one of hockey’s most untouchable milestones.

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Ovi Career Milestones

Since stepping onto NHL ice, Ovechkin has been a scoring machine. Across two decades, he has never scored fewer than 24 goals in a season while playing at least 45 games. Ovechkin’s most explosive season came in 2007-08 when he netted a career-high 65 goals. In total, he has recorded nine seasons with 50+ goals, reinforcing his reputation as one of the greatest pure goal-scorers in the game.

Some wondered if age was catching up to him last season, as he managed 31 goals in 79 games. However, this year, he has flipped that narrative, already passing last season’s total with 33 goals in just 50 games. If he keeps up his current pace, breaking the record this season is a real possibility.

Before making bets or hopping on your couch to potentially watch a once-in-a-generation moment, monitor Ovie’s game status for every Capitals outing to close out the season — along with the rest of the NHL’s starting lineups.

Will Ovechkin Top Gretzky In Goals This Year?

With 16 games remaining in the regular season, Ovechkin’s path to 895 goals is within reach. He is averaging 0.66 goals per game, a pace that would project him to tie the record in 12 more games and surpass it in 14 games, assuming he maintains this rate. If he stays healthy, fans could witness history before the season ends.

Potential milestone games to watch:

April 4: Home vs. Chicago Blackhawks
April 6: Away at New York Islanders
April 10: Home vs. Carolina Hurricanes
April 12: Away at Columbus Blue Jackets

Each matchup presents a prime opportunity for Ovechkin to tie or break the record, making them must-watch games for hockey fans.

Betting Odds On Ovechkin Breaking The Goal Record

Sportsbooks offer wagers on NHL odds for when and how Ovechkin might make history.

BetMGM:

Ovechkin to break Gretzky’s record this season:
- Yes (-130) / No (+105)
Method of 895th goal:
- Even strength: -225
- Powerplay: +160
- Shorthanded: +6600
Which team will Ovechkin score No. 895 against?
- Blue Jackets: +475
- Islanders: +600
- Hurricanes: +800
- Penguins: +1100
- Blackhawks: +1900