Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin Chases For Wayne Gretzky’s All-Time Record – How Has He Done It?

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin scored his 30th goal of the season Tuesday, continuing his determined march to break Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record. The 39-year-old veteran is now just 11 goals behind, putting him firmly on pace to break the record in the coming weeks.

Still performing at an elite level at the tail end of his career, this is the 19th time in 20 seasons that Ovechkin has scored 30 goals. In order to break Gretzky’s all-time total of 894 goals, Ovechkin has required consistent excellence and exceptional longevity. He is nearly there now, though it would be hard to tell by his typically muted comments to reporters.

“My linemates, teammates do a pretty good job finding me out there and I just have to finish it up,” Ovechkin said after the game Tuesday, a 3-1 loss to the Calgary Flames.

Despite missing five weeks this season to recover from a broken fibula, Ovechkin is still tied for seventh in goals scored across the league. Oilers star Leon Draisaitl’s 43 goals will be tough to catch, but Ovechkin is only three behind second place, a testament to his production when he’s been on the ice this season.

Record chasing has served Washington well this season, as Ovechkin’s hunt coincides with the team’s 38-12-8 record. Though the Capitals aren’t considered a front runner for the Stanley Cup, they’re solidly in the running for the President’s Trophy with a commanding lead in the Eastern Conference.

Barring an injury, Ovechkin’s 20th NHL season could end up being the most important in his career. The next 23 games will be spent breaking Gretzky’s record and further cementing his own. After that, he will lead a talented Capitals team to the playoffs, where he will have the chance to win his second Stanley Cup. For one of the all-time greats, there are countless ways to get to a storybook ending.