Alex Ovechkin keeps defying Father Time.
Just when it looked like a broken leg would push his chase for the NHL’s all-time goal record to next season, the 39-year-old Capitals great has come back with a vengeance and is on track to pass Wayne Gretzky’s mark before the end of the season.
Pinpointing exactly when the record will fall is more difficult, but if ticket prices in Washington D.C. are any indication, fans are expecting a historic moment for Ovechkin late in the regular season.
Here’s a look at when Ovechkin could break the all-time NHL goal record.
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When will Alex Ovechkin break Wayne Gretzky’s goal record?
Ovechkin needs 13 goals to break Gretzky’s record with 25 games remaining. He’s averaging 0.71 goals per game this season, and staying on that exact pace would put him on track to score record-breaking goal No. 895 at home against the Blackhawks on April 4.
Of course, there is no guarantee Ovechkin stays on his exact pace, especially considering his pace this season is well ahead of his pace from last season. If Ovechkin slows down, he will still have six games to work with after April 4, including home games on April 10 and April 13.
If he stays on his current pace or even picks up his pace, Ovechkin will easily clear Gretzky’s record before the end of the season. Notably, the playoffs do not count toward Ovechkin’s career totals.
Here’s a look at the Capitals’ schedule for the remainder of the season.
MORE: Tracking Alex Ovechkin’s road to all-time goal record
Capitals 2024-25 schedule
| Date | Matchup | Time (ET) |
| Feb. 25 | vs. Flames | 7 p.m. |
| Feb. 27 | vs. Blues | 7 p.m. |
| March 1 | vs. Lightning | 12:30 p.m. |
| March 3 | vs. Senators | 6:30 p.m. |
| March 5 | at Rangers | 7 p.m. |
| March 7 | vs. Red Wings | 7 p.m. |
| March 9 | vs. Kraken | 3:30 p.m. |
| March 11 | at Ducks | 10 p.m. |
| March 13 | at Kings | 10:30 p.m. |
| March 15 | at Kraken | 5 p.m. |
| March 18 | vs. Red Wings | 7 p.m. |
| March 20 | vs. Flyers | 7 p.m. |
| March 22 | vs. Panthers | 5 p.m. |
| March 25 | at Jets | 8 p.m. |
| March 27 | at Wild | 8 p.m. |
| March 30 | vs. Sabres | 3 p.m. |
| April 1 | at Bruins | 7 p.m. |
| April 2 | at Hurricanes | 7 p.m. |
| April 4 | vs. Blackhawks | 7 p.m. |
| April 6 | at Islanders | 12:30 p.m. |
| April 10 | vs. Hurricanes | 7:30 p.m. |
| April 12 | at Blue Jackets | 7 p.m. |
| April 13 | vs. Blue Jackets | 6 p.m. |
| April 15 | at Islanders | 8 p.m. |
| April 17 | at Penguins | 7 p.m. |
How many goals does Alex Ovechkin have?
Ovechkin has 882 career goals, 12 shy of Gretzky’s record. He needs 13 goals to break the record.
The 39-year-old legend has 29 goals in just 41 games this season, a major improvement compared to a slower 2023-24 season, even with Ovechkin missing a chunk of the year due to a broken leg.
How close is Alex Ovechkin to breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record?
Ovechkin is 12 goals away from tying and 13 goals away from breaking Gretzky’s record. His 42nd goal of the season, if he gets there, will be the record-setter.
NHL all-time goal leaders
| Player | Goals |
| Wayne Gretzky | 894 |
| Alex Ovechkin | 882 |
| Gordie Howe | 801 |
| Jaromir Jagr | 766 |
| Brett Hull | 741 |
| Marcel Dionne | 731 |
| Phil Esposito | 717 |
| Mike Gartner | 708 |
| Mark Messier | 694 |
| Steve Yzerman | 692 |
Ovechkin is one of three players in NHL history with at least 800 career goals, and 18 more goals would make him the first player to reach 900 goals.
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