Ovechkin Scores Goal No. 872, Closing In on Gretzky’s Record

Alexander Ovechkin © Instagram / hockeyfan_000

Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin is on a mission to break Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record for most career goals. Ovechkin scored his 872nd goal on Saturday against the New York Rangers, bringing him within 23 goals of Gretzky’s mark of 894.

Here’s a breakdown of Ovechkin’s latest goal and how it compares to Gretzky’s goal at the same point in his career:

Alex Ovechkin (Goal No. 872)

• Date: January 4, 2025
• Location: Capital One Arena, Washington
• Opponent: New York Rangers (Goalie: Jonathan Quick)
• Time of Goal: 10:50 of the third period
• Summary: Ovechkin capitalized on a loose puck after a face-off in the Rangers’ zone. He backhanded a shot past Quick’s right pad to extend the Capitals’ lead to 5-3.

Wayne Gretzky (Corresponding Goal)

• Date: December 28, 1997
• Location: Madison Square Garden, New York
• Opponent: Boston Bruins (Goalie: Byron Dafoe)
• Time of Goal: 14:42 of the first period
• Summary: Gretzky ended an 11-game goal drought by banking a shot off Dafoe after his initial attempt was stopped on a 3-on-2 rush. This goal tied the game 1-1 for the Rangers, who ultimately won 4-3.

 By Vitalina Andrushchenko, Staff Writer