Alex Ovechkin is just a hat trick away from making history.
The Washington Capitals forward netted his 891st career goal on Tuesday night, leaving him just three goals shy of tying Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record and four away from becoming the league’s all-time leading goal scorer.
A missed empty-net opportunity in the final minutes of the Capitals’ 4-3 win against the Boston Bruins kept Ovechkin from getting even closer to the milestone.
“It’s getting close,” said Capitals coach Spencer Carbery. “You can feel it. You definitely feel it.” He smiled as he added, “If that empty netter had gone in… yeah, it’s getting close.”
A three-time NHL MVP and nine-time league goal leader, Ovechkin missed six weeks this fall due to a broken left leg. However, he’s bounced back strongly, scoring 12 goals in his last 18 games. With 38 goals in 58 games this season, he’s on pace to break the record in the Capitals’ penultimate game of the regular season on April 15 against the New York Islanders.
“I think back to when he was injured and out for a while. People were wondering if he’d be able to keep up,” said goalie Charlie Lindgren. “But anything’s possible with Alex Ovechkin. We’ve seen it all season. We’ve got eight games left, and the best part is there’s no pressure at all. The team is enjoying it.”
Washington was trailing 1-0 with about four minutes remaining in the first period when John Carlson passed the puck toward the net. Dylan Strome redirected it across the crease, and Ovechkin easily tapped it into the open side for his 322nd power-play goal—an NHL record. He raised both arms in celebration before joining his teammates for a hug.
After the game, Ovechkin downplayed the significance of the goal. “A goal is a goal,” he said. “It was a great play by Stromer and Carly.”
The Boston crowd reacted with mixed cheers for the visiting Capitals. The Bruins, who’ve lost nine straight games, recently fired their coach and are on track to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Many fans, some wearing Ovechkin jerseys, likely attended to witness history in the making.
Ovechkin had another chance at goal No. 892 with about a minute left when he collected the puck near the Bruins’ blue line, spun around, and fired wide of the empty net. He finished the night with 38 goals this season, still on pace to hit 40 for the 14th time—also the most in league history.
“He’s one of a kind, and it’s fun to watch him score,” said Washington forward Ryan Leonard, who made his NHL debut as Ovechkin’s teammate after playing for Boston College on Sunday.
“If you had told me this a couple of years ago, I wouldn’t have believed it,” Leonard said. “Honestly, I don’t even know what to say. It’s just really cool, and I’m trying to embrace the moment.”
