Alex Ovechkin scored his 885th career goal midway through the third period of the Washington Capitals’ game against New York Rangers, moving nine away from tying Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record. The Capitals’ captain scored as he knocked in a loose puck from the left side with 9:32 left in the third period to tie the score 2-2.

Yet Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin is closing in on that Gretzky record. The Capitals drafted him with the first overall pick in the 2004 NHL Draft and he has been in the NHL since the 2005-2006 season. Time is the biggest constraint for Ovi, as he is 39 years old and will turn 40 before the 2025-2026 regular season begins.

Alex Ovechkin is already the career leader in power-play goals in the NHL. ARLINGTON, Va. — Wayne Gretzky was so able to control hockey games from behind the net that the area became known as “Gretzky's office,” as he put up more assists than anyone else in NHL history has points.