Ovechkin within 10 goals of Gretzky's record

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin. Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Alex Ovechkin within 10 goals of tying Wayne Gretzky's record

By Austen Bundy | Last updated Mar 1, 2025 3:57 PM ET

The final countdown has finally arrived for Alexander Ovechkin.

On Saturday, the Washington Capitals captain logged his 884th career goal in the third period against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

During a chaotic sequence, Ovechkin found himself with the puck between the two offensive face-off circles and spun around to rip it past goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy. It gave his team life down 2-1 with less than half a period to play in regulation.

EIGHT HUNDRED AND EIGHTY FOUR pic.twitter.com/X7uoPkI3wA
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 1, 2025

With that goal, Ovechkin is now just 10 away from tying Hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky for most all-time (894).

It was his 31st goal of the season in a 3-1 loss, Washington's third straight, but with 22 games remaining in the regular season, it's a brighter spot than most think.

Ovechkin can also reach another significant career milestone by the end of the year. He's two points away from becoming just the 11th player in NHL history to reach 1,600 points and would be only the seventh to do so with a single franchise.

Austen Bundy

Austen Bundy is a journalist and sports junkie from the Washington, D. C. area

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