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Alexander Ovechkin inches closer to Wayne Gretzky for record
Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin (8) during the first period of the game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre. Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

Alexander Ovechkin inches closer to Wayne Gretzky for overall scoring record

Washington Capitals icon Alexander Ovechkin is already regarded as the NHL's goal-scoring king, but he's actually on the verge of adding to his standing even more. 

On Saturday, Ovechkin scored both of the Capitals' two goals in their 6-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. And while his scoring touch wasn't nearly enough against Montreal, it inched him closer to more history. 

Ovechkin's two most recent goals now give him 24 on the season and 921 for his career, extending the NHL record he broke on April 6th of last year when he passed Wayne Gretzky's previous mark of 894. 

Alexander Ovechkin still needs to pass Wayne Gretzky one more time for the overall record 

But in actuality, the record Ovechkin holds is just for regular-season goals, not what each player tallied throughout their entire careers. However, it's only a matter of time until Ovechkin holds sole possession of that overall top spot. 

As far as the regular season and playoffs combined, Ovechkin is now two goals shy of joining Gretzky as only the second player to ever reach 1,000 total goals. And then once he hits 1,000, Ovechkin will be hot on Gretzky's tail for the full record.

Gretzky's statistical greatness will never be topped 

Gretzky scored his 894 regular-season goals in 1,487 games and then his 122 playoff goals, the most ever in the Stanley Cup playoffs, in 208 postseason contests. 

Conversely, Ovechkin has his 921 regular-season goals in 1,553 games and counting. He then has 77 playoff goals in 161 postseason games.

Of course, in terms of total points, Gretzky may remain the king forever. He has 2,857 thanks to his record 1,963 career assists. 

Gretzky is the only player to ever get to 2,000 points and holds a nearly 1,000-point lead over the next closest, Jaromír Jágr, with 1,921 points. To put Gretzky's points in further perspective, Ovechkin has 1,673. 

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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