After surpassing 800 goals in the 2022-23 season, Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin is now focused on breaking Wayne Gretzky`s all-time NHL record of 894 career goals.
Ovechkin started the 2024-25 season with 853 goals and has since reached 888. The excitement surrounding his chase has made Ovechkin a popular betting choice in the NHL, with numerous prop bets available.
The timeline for Ovechkin to surpass Gretzky depends on his goal-scoring rate, which was recently affected by a five-week absence due to a broken fibula. He returned to play on December 28 against the Maple Leafs.
Track Ovechkin`s progress here with updates on each goal he scores this season, including highlights and the Capitals` schedule.
NHL Top 10 Career Goals Leaders
- Wayne Gretzky (894)
- Alex Ovechkin (888)
- Gordie Howe (801)
- Jaromir Jagr (766)
- Brett Hull (741)
- Marcel Dionne (731)
- Phil Esposito (717)
- Mike Gartner (708)
- Mark Messier (694)
- Steve Yzerman (692)
Goals Scored in 2024-25
No. 888: March 20 vs. PHI
Ovechkin scored on a rebound opportunity late in the first period against the Flyers, marking his 52nd career goal against Philadelphia, surpassing Mario Lemieux for the second-most goals against the Flyers all-time.
No. 887: March 15 vs. SJ
With a comfortable lead against San Jose, Ovechkin deflected a shot into the net in the third period. ESPN Research notes that 18 of Ovechkin`s 34 goals this season have come in the third period, the most in the NHL.
No. 886: March 9 vs. SEA
Playing to protect a late third-period lead against Seattle, Ovechkin created enough space from a Kraken defender to score an empty-net goal, securing the win.
No. 885: March 5 vs. NYR
Ovechkin`s goal was crucial for the Capitals, tying the game with 9:32 remaining in the third period. Washington ultimately won in overtime after Ovechkin`s 32nd goal in 46 games this season.
No. 884: March 1 vs. TB
Despite a loss to Tampa Bay, Ovechkin moved within 10 goals of Gretzky`s record with a third-period goal assisted by Matt Roy.
No. 883: Feb. 25 vs. CGY
Ovechkin scored on a power play against the Calgary Flames, his eighth goal in eight games and 30th of the season. He became the fourth player in NHL history to score 30 goals at age 39 or older.
Nos. 880, 881, 882: Feb. 23 vs. EDM
Ovechkin scored his first goal against the Edmonton Oilers midway through the second period. About ten minutes later, he scored again on a power play. His third goal was an empty-netter late in the third period, his seventh empty-net goal of the season.
Since January 1, 2020, Ovechkin has scored 200 goals, making him the first player in NHL history to reach 200+ goals in three different decades. ESPN Research indicates Ovechkin is on pace to break Gretzky`s record by the end of this season.
No. 879: Feb. 6 vs. PHI
Down 1-0 in the first period against the Philadelphia Flyers, Ovechkin tied the game in the final minute with a one-timer.
No. 878: Feb. 4 vs. FLA
With only 0.1 seconds left on the clock, Ovechkin scored his 878th goal, putting the puck into an empty net against the Florida Panthers.
No. 877: Feb. 1 vs. WPG
Ovechkin tied the game with under eight minutes remaining in the third period with his 877th goal. However, the Capitals lost in overtime in a game against one of the NHL`s top teams.
No. 876: Jan. 30 vs. OTT
Ovechkin scored against the Ottawa Senators for the second time in two weeks, this time with a power-play goal in the third period. It was his NHL-record 318th career power-play goal.
No. 875: Jan. 23 vs. SEA
Ovechkin added another empty-net goal to his career total, sealing the victory for the Capitals.
No. 874: Jan. 16 vs. OTT
With his 874th goal, Ovechkin set a new record for scoring on the most different goaltenders, after scoring against Ottawa`s Leevi Merilainen for a game-winning overtime goal.
No. 873: Jan. 11 vs. NSH
Ovechkin finalized the Capitals` 4-1 victory over the Predators with an empty-net goal.
No. 872: Jan. 4 vs. NYR
In a high-scoring game against the Rangers, Ovechkin`s 19th goal of the season made it 5-3 in the third period.
No. 871: Jan. 2 vs. MIN
Despite a shootout loss to the Wild, Ovechkin added to his career total with a second-period power-play goal.
No. 870: Dec. 29 vs. DET
Ovechkin continued to make up for lost time after injury, scoring his second goal in as many games since his return. It was his 17th of the season.
No. 869: Dec. 28 vs. TOR
In his first game back from a five-week injury, Ovechkin scored an empty-net goal to secure the win against the Maple Leafs.
Nos. 868, 867: Nov. 18 vs. UTA
Following a hat trick against Vegas, Ovechkin scored two more goals. He might have had a third if he hadn`t been injured in a collision. Goal No. 868 was on the power play, and No. 867 was assisted by Pierre-Luc Dubois.
Nos. 866, 865, 864: Nov. 17 vs. VGK
In a game against Vegas, Ovechkin achieved a hat trick in the Capitals` 5-2 win, including a power-play goal, a second-period goal, and an empty-net goal.
Nos. 863, 862: Nov. 9, 2024 vs. STL
In an 8-1 victory over the Blues, Ovechkin scored in the second period to make it 2-1, and added a power-play goal in the third to extend the lead to 4-1.
No. 861: Nov. 6, 2024 vs. NSH
Ovechkin scored his eighth goal of the season in the third period against Nashville.
No. 860: Nov. 3, 2024 vs. CAR
Despite a 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes, Ovechkin scored a first-period power-play goal.
No. 859: Nov. 2, 2024 vs. CBJ
Ovechkin was among six different Capitals players to score in a win against the Blue Jackets.
No. 858: Oct. 31, 2024 vs. MTL
The Capitals defeated the Canadiens 6-3, with Ovechkin scoring a goal to cap off the victory.
Nos. 857, 856: Oct. 29, 2024 vs. NYR
In a 5-3 win over the Rangers, Ovechkin scored two first-period goals.
No. 855: Oct. 23, 2024 vs. PHI
Ovechkin scored an empty-net goal to secure a win against Philadelphia.
No. 854: Oct. 19, 2024 vs. NJ
Ovechkin scored his first goal of the season in the fourth game against the Devils.
Upcoming Schedule
Note: Games are available on ESPN+ unless specified otherwise. Blackout restrictions may apply.
- Sat, Mar 22: vs. Florida, 5:00
- Tue, Mar 25: at Winnipeg, 8:00
- Thu, Mar 27: at Minnesota, 8:00 (ESPN+/Hulu/Disney+)
- Sun, Mar 30: vs. Buffalo, 3:00
- Tue, Apr 1: at Boston, 7:00
- Wed, Apr 2: at Carolina, 7:00
- Fri, Apr 4: vs. Chicago, 7:00
- Sun, Apr 6: at Islanders, 12:30 (TNT/truTV/Max)
- Thu, Apr 10: vs. Carolina, 7:30
- Sat, Apr 12: at Columbus, 7:00 (ABC/ESPN+)
- Sun, Apr 13: vs. Columbus, 6:00
- Tue, Apr 15: at Islanders, 8:00 (ESPN)
- Thu, Apr 17: at Pittsburgh, 7:00 (ESPN)
Rupert Hartwell