Sun Mar 16 00:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Ovechkin Closes In on Gretzky’s NHL Goal Record
**Washington, D.C. –** Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin is on the verge of making history. With 887 career goals, he’s just eight away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s long-standing NHL record of 894.
Ovechkin, 39, started the 2024-25 season with a blistering pace, scoring 15 goals in 18 games. A broken fibula in November sidelined him for five weeks, but he quickly returned to form, netting four goals in his first five games back. His latest goal, a deflection in a win against the San Jose Sharks on March 15th, moved him to within striking distance.
“It’s just a matter of time,” Gretzky himself told NHL.com earlier this season, acknowledging Ovechkin’s imminent achievement.
Ovechkin is projected to surpass Gretzky’s record on April 12th against the Columbus Blue Jackets. To mark this historic pursuit, Ovechkin has launched “THE GR8 CHASE for Victory Over Cancer,” partnering with Hockey Fights Cancer and the V Foundation. He will donate a dollar amount equal to his career goal total for every goal scored from this point forward, with Monumental Sports & Entertainment matching the donations.
The Capitals’ schedule shows several upcoming opportunities for Ovechkin to etch his name in the record books. The anticipation is building as hockey fans worldwide await the moment Ovechkin claims the title of NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer.
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