Alex Ovechkin. James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Alex Ovechkin sets another goals record on path to the big one

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 4/9/24

As Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin continues to chase down Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record, he keeps checking off a lot of smaller records along the way. He added another one to his collection on Tuesday night against the Detroit Red Wings.

Ovechkin scored his 30th goal of the season in the second period, giving him 18 30-goal seasons in his career.

That breaks a record that was previously held by Mike Gartner, who scored 30 goals 17 different times.

Here is a look at the goal that gave Ovechkin his 30th of the season.

30 for 8 at 38 pic.twitter.com/A3yQOckh5s
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 10, 2024

The only season in Ovechkin's career in which he did not score 30 goals was the 2020-21 season that was shortened to 56 games, of which he only appeared in 45. He still scored 24 goals that season for what would have been a 41-goal pace over 82 games.

Gartner spent parts of 10 seasons with the Capitals early in his career, recording nine of his 17 30-goal seasons with the team. The Capitals had a video of Gartner congratulating Ovechkin ready to go on Tuesday night.