RALEIGH, N.C. — Alex Ovechkin has inched closer to surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s legendary NHL goal-scoring record. The experienced Washington Capitals star netted his 892nd career goal, narrowing the gap to just two to equal Gretzky’s historic achievement and three to surpass it. This milestone happened during the Capitals’ 5-1 defeat to the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday night.
Despite this personal accomplishment, the 39-year-old Russian superstar expressed disappointment over the team’s loss and his inability to score again in the match. Reflecting on missed opportunities, including a critical one where Carolina’s goaltender, Frederik Andersen, thwarted a close-range attempt while the Capitals were trailing 3-0, Ovechkin remarked the importance of seizing on opportunities in such competitive games. “We have a pretty good chance in the second, first shift a breakaway,” he said. “And in this game, if you have a chance, you have to use it and I think all goalies play well tonight.”
Earlier in the game, Ovechkin faced a challenge five minutes into the match when trying to initiate scoring momentum, but Carolina’s top defenseman, Jaccob Slavin, skillfully diverted the puck. Ovechkin eventually found success on a 5-on-3 power-play, managing to slip the puck past Andersen with just 34.5 seconds remaining in the second period. Ovechkin’s impressive record against Carolina now includes 10 goals in 13 games facing Andersen, 53 against the Hurricanes in 92 games, and 32 in 46 encounters in Raleigh, a feat unmatched by any other visiting player.
The spectacle of reaching goal No. 892 was witnessed by several notable attendees, including NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, Capitals owner Ted Leonsis, and Ovechkin’s wife, Nastya, all seated together in a suite. The anticipation was palpable as fans followed “The GR8 Chase,” but the third period quickly shifted to a gritty contest with multiple fights and scrums leading to misconduct penalties for eight players divided equally between the teams.
A potentially significant moment for Ovechkin to score again emerged late in the game, but was thwarted due to Connor McMichael’s roughing penalty being added to his fighting major, halting the Capitals’ power-play. “We understand there’s a possibility to see them in the playoffs,” Ovechkin noted about the charged atmosphere on the ice. “It was a playoff atmosphere out there.”
So far, Ovechkin has netted 39 goals this season and stands on the cusp of hitting 40 for a historic 14th time in his career—a league record—despite having missed 16 games due to a broken left fibula. As the Eastern Conference-leading Capitals prepare for the final stretch of the regular season, starting with a home game against Chicago on Friday, defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk anticipates an electric atmosphere due to Ovechkin’s chase. “The record feels like it’s right there,” van Riemsdyk said. “He feels like he’s still scoring every night. It’s been huge for us and awesome for him to see that he’s still doing it at this torrid pace.”
Ovechkin is on track to eclipse Gretzky’s monumental 894-goal mark before the playoffs begin—an achievement once considered unattainable. Forecasts based on his current and career scoring averages suggest the record could be broken on April 13, during a home game against Columbus.