Alex Ovechkin entered Tuesday 17 targets away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s file for targets scored. It then seemed like he would finish the night time nonetheless 17 away till the ultimate second of the Capitals’ 6-3 win over the Florida Panthers.
With 0.1 seconds on the clock, Ovechkin beat the buzzer by firing the puck at an empty web. The aim gave Ovechkin his twenty fifth of the season and 878th of his profession, putting him 16 shy of turning into the brand new file holder.
Not solely has Ovechkin began to warmth up currently, however he is now scored in three straight video games and is having fun with some luck. Factoring in luck alongside the best way, it is now very doable Ovechkin will move Gretzky’s all-time mark of 894 earlier than the top of this season.
Along with his 25 targets, Ovechkin has 39 total points and is a +17 in 37 video games performed. He missed 16 video games with a damaged fibula earlier than triumphantly returning in late December to proceed his pursuit of historical past.
Nonetheless, when Ovechkin initially began lacking video games, most figured that his pursuit of Gretzky’s file could be delayed till subsequent season.
Nonetheless, with 10 targets since his return to motion on Dec. 28 and his current streak, it is doable we might witness historical past within the coming months.
The Capitals (35-11-7), comfortably positioned to be the No. 1 seed within the Japanese Convention, have 29 video games remaining on their schedule. And simply based mostly on his present tempo, Ovechkin could be on observe to hit Gretzky in time for the ultimate week of the common season. There’s additionally all the time the likelihood he might begin clumping targets collectively and add some multi-goal nights to assist expedite the method.
Whereas the Capitals could relaxation Ovechkin earlier than the playoffs, it is as doubtless they’d assist getting him as many alternatives as doable to safe the file. The straightforward reality he shot the puck at an empty web with a two-goal lead and one second on the clock exhibits he is not all for ready till the autumn.
By the point the 2025-26 season rolls round, Ovechkin might be pursuing the unthinkable milestone of 900 profession targets with the file already behind him.
Ovechkin’s standing as one of the vital prolific aim scorers in NHL historical past has been in stone for years. Since being the 2004 first-overall decide, he has been discovering methods to get the puck within the web.
He scored 52 targets out of the gate throughout his rookie season and has reached or surpassed the 50-goal mark 9 occasions. Ovechkin’s single-season better of 65 got here within the 2007-08 season.
Ovechkin, a 13-time All-Star, has led the league in targets 9 occasions, gained three Hart Trophies as NHL MVP and led the Capitals to their solely Stanley Cup title whereas being named the Conny Smythe winner.
It doesn’t matter what occurs, Ovechkin has a resume that locations him amongst hockey’s all-time finest, however breaking Gretzky’s file, which many believed would stand the take a look at of time, will certainly add to his legacy.
