CNN
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NHL star Alex Ovechkin notched another record Thursday night as he moved closer to replacing Wayne Gretzky as the league’s all-time leading scorer.
Scoring the only goal of the game in the Washington Capitals’ 1-0 overtime win over the Ottawa Senators, Ovechkin has now scored on more goalies – 179 – than any other player in history.
“It’s pretty cool,” the Russian said of the record, which was previously held by Jaromír Jágr. “When you play 20 years – if you get the chance – you’ll take it.”
The goal was the 874th of Ovechkin’s remarkable career, meaning he needs just 21 more to beat Gretzky’s total of 894.
The 39-year-old already has 21 goals in 29 games in 2024-25, putting him on track to break the record this season, provided he stays healthy. If he maintained his current scoring rate, he would break Gretzky’s record after playing three fewer games than the 1,487 the Canadian managed over his 21-year career.
Ovechkin’s goal Thursday, off a pass from Rasmus Sandin after a 2-on-1 breakaway, was the 27th overtime game winner of his career, extending a record he already holds. Sidney Crosby is second with 22.
“I knew I had to shoot as soon as possible, because I knew (goaltender Leevi Merilainen) was thinking maybe I’m going to give it back to Sandy,” Ovechkin said. “And it was a good shot, and it goes in the net, so I’m going to take it.”
The Russian missed 16 games due to a fractured fibula suffered on November 18, but scored four goals in five games on his return in late 2024, before making history on Sunday. In scoring his 20th goal of the season, Ovechkin joined Gordie Howe as the only NHL players in history to accumulate 20 goals in 20 consecutive seasons.