Ovechkin Career Goal Record Chase: Tracker, Highlights, and More

After surpassing 800 goals during the 2022-23 season, Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin is now focused on breaking Wayne Gretzky`s NHL record of 894 career goals.

Ovechkin started the 2024-25 season with 853 goals and has currently reached 888. The excitement surrounding his chase has made Ovechkin a popular focus for NHL betting and various related opportunities.

The timeline for Ovechkin to surpass Gretzky depends on his scoring rate, which was recently affected by a five-week absence due to a broken fibula. He returned to play on December 28 against the Maple Leafs.

Here, we will keep track of every goal Ovechkin scores this season, providing highlights of each goal, the Capitals` upcoming schedule, and viewing information.

NHL Top 10 Career Goals Leaders

1. Wayne Gretzky (894)
2. Alex Ovechkin (888)
3. Gordie Howe (801)
4. Jaromir Jagr (766)
5. Brett Hull (741)
6. Marcel Dionne (731)
7. Phil Esposito (717)
8. Mike Gartner (708)
9. Mark Messier (694)
10. Steve Yzerman (692)

Goals Scored in 2024-25

No. 888: March 20 vs. PHI

Ovechkin scored on a rebound late in the first period against the Flyers, marking his 52nd career goal against Philadelphia, surpassing Mario Lemieux for the second-most goals against the Flyers of all time.

No. 887: March 15 vs. SJ

Already leading comfortably against San Jose, Ovechkin deflected a shot into the net in the third period. ESPN Research notes that eighteen of Ovechkin`s 34 goals this season have come in the third period, the most in the NHL.

No. 886: March 9 vs. SEA

While protecting a late third-period lead against Seattle, Ovechkin created enough space from a Kraken defender to score an empty-net goal, securing the game.

No. 885: March 5 vs. NYR

Ovechkin`s goal was crucial for the Capitals, tying the game with 9:32 remaining in the third period. Washington ultimately won in overtime after Ovechkin scored his 32nd goal in 46 games this season.

No. 884: March 1 vs. TB

Despite a loss to Tampa Bay, Ovechkin scored a third-period goal, assisted by Matt Roy, moving him within 10 goals of tying Gretzky.

No. 883: Feb. 25 vs. CGY

Ovechkin scored a power-play goal against the Calgary Flames, his eighth goal in eight games and 30th of the season. He became the fourth player in NHL history to score 30 goals at age 39 or older.

Nos. 880, 881, 882: Feb. 23 vs. EDM

Ovechkin scored his first goal nearly halfway through the second period against the Edmonton Oilers. About ten minutes later, he scored again on a power play. His third goal was an empty-netter late in the third period, his seventh empty-net goal of the season.

Since January 1, 2020, Ovechkin has scored 200 goals, becoming the first player in NHL history to reach 200+ goals in three different decades. ESPN Research indicates that Ovechkin is currently on pace to break Gretzky`s career goal record by the end of this season.

No. 879: Feb. 6 vs. PHI

Down 1-0 in the first period against the Philadelphia Flyers, Ovechkin tied the game in the final minute with a one-timer.

No. 878: Feb. 4 vs. FLA

With just 0.1 seconds left on the clock, Ovechkin scored his 878th goal, putting the puck into an empty net against the Florida Panthers.

No. 877: Feb. 1 vs. WPG

Ovechkin tied the game with under eight minutes remaining in the third period with his 877th goal. However, the Capitals lost in overtime in this game against one of the NHL`s top teams.

No. 876: Jan. 30 vs. OTT

Ovechkin scored against the Ottawa Senators for the second time in two weeks, with a power-play goal in the third period. This was Ovechkin`s NHL-record 318th career power-play goal.

No. 875: Jan. 23 vs. SEA

Ovechkin added another empty-net goal to his career total, sealing the victory for the Capitals. The goal was assisted by Trevor van Riemsdyk and Jakob Chychrun.

No. 874: Jan. 16 vs. OTT

With his 874th goal, Ovechkin achieved a record, scoring on the most different goaltenders in NHL history after scoring past Ottawa`s Leevi Merilainen for an overtime game-winner.

No. 873: Jan. 11 vs. NSH

Ovechkin finalized the Capitals` 4-1 victory over the Predators with an empty-net goal.

No. 872: Jan. 4 vs. NYR

In a game where the Capitals scored seven goals against the Rangers, Ovechkin`s 19th goal of the season made the score 5-3 in the third period. The goal was assisted by Dylan Strome.

No. 871: Jan. 2 vs. MIN

Despite the Capitals losing to the Wild in a shootout, Ovechkin contributed to his career total with a second-period power-play goal, assisted by Dylan Strome.

No. 870: Dec. 29 vs. DET

Making up for lost time due to injury, Ovechkin scored his second goal in as many games since his return. His 17th goal of the season was assisted by Jakob Chychrun and Connor McMichael.

No. 869: Dec. 28 vs. TOR

In his first game back after a five-week injury absence, Ovechkin scored an empty-net goal to secure the win against the Maple Leafs. The assists came from Aliaksei Protas and Pierre-Luc Dubois.

Nos. 868, 867: Nov. 18 vs. UTA

Following his hat trick against Vegas, Ovechkin scored two more goals against the Hockey Club, and could have had another if not for a collision with Jack McBain that took him out of the game. Goal No. 867 was assisted by Pierre-Luc Dubois, while No. 868 was a power-play goal assisted by John Carlson and Dylan Strome.

Nos. 866, 865, 864: Nov. 17 vs. VGK

Back in 2018, Ovechkin and the Capitals won the Stanley Cup in Vegas. While this game had less at stake, Ovechkin still delivered a hat trick in the Capitals` 5-2 victory: a first-period power-play goal (assisted by John Carlson and Dylan Strome), a second-period goal (assisted by Matt Roy), and an empty-net goal to complete the hat trick (assisted by Aliaksei Protas and Martin Fehervary).

Nos. 863, 862: Nov. 9, 2024 vs. STL

In an 8-1 Capitals` victory, Ovechkin scored in the second period (assisted by Aliaksei Protas and Dylan Strome) to make it 2-1, and added a power-play goal in the third period (assisted by Strome and Tom Wilson) to increase the lead to 4-1.

No. 861: Nov. 6, 2024 vs. NSH

Ovechkin scored his eighth goal of the season at 10:25 of the third period, assisted by Dylan Strome and Martin Fehervary.

No. 860: Nov. 3, 2024 vs. CAR

Despite a 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes, Ovechkin scored a first-period power-play goal, assisted by John Carlson and Dylan Strome.

No. 859: Nov. 2, 2024 vs. CBJ

Ovechkin was among six different Capitals players to score in a dominant win against the Blue Jackets, with his goal assisted by Dylan Strome and Aliaksei Protas.

No. 858: Oct. 31, 2024 vs. MTL

A 6-3 Capitals victory capped off with an Ovechkin goal pleased the home fans. Assists for this goal were from Aliaksei Protas and Dylan Strome.

Nos. 857, 856: Oct. 29, 2024 vs. NYR

In a 5-3 win for the Capitals, Ovechkin scored two first-period goals, both assisted by Aliaksei Protas and Dylan Strome.

No. 855: Oct. 23, 2024 vs. PHI

Ovechkin added to his collection of empty-net goals, sealing a win against Philadelphia. The assist came from Dylan Strome.

No. 854: Oct. 19, 2024 vs. NJ

In the fourth game of the Capitals` season, Ovechkin scored his first goal of the campaign, assisted by John Carlson and Dylan Strome.

Upcoming Schedule

Note: All games are available to ESPN+ subscribers at no extra charge as part of NHL Power Play on ESPN+, unless otherwise noted. Blackout restrictions apply.

• Sat, Mar 22: vs. Florida, 5:00
• Tue, Mar 25: at Winnipeg, 8:00
• Thu, Mar 27: at Minnesota, 8:00 (ESPN+/Hulu/Disney+)
• Sun, Mar 30: vs. Buffalo, 3:00
• Tue, Apr 1: at Boston, 7:00
• Wed, Apr 2: at Carolina, 7:00
• Fri, Apr 4: vs. Chicago, 7:00
• Sun, Apr 6: at Islanders, 12:30 (TNT/truTV/Max)
• Thu, Apr 10: vs. Carolina, 7:30
• Sat, Apr 12: at Columbus, 7:00 (ABC/ESPN+)
• Sun, Apr 13: vs. Columbus, 6:00
• Tue, Apr 15: at Islanders, 8:00 (ESPN)
• Thu, Apr 17: at Pittsburgh, 7:00 (ESPN)