Ovechkin scores career goal No. 892, now three from passing Gretzky

The Capitals trailed the Carolina Hurricanes by four goals in the second period of Wednesday night’s game before Alex Ovechkin scored goal No. 892. Washington’s captain is now three goals shy of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record. 

The 39-year-old’s most recent goal was a classic, a trademark one-timer against Carolina goaltender Frederik Andersen on the 5-on-3 power play to trim the Hurricanes’ lead to 4-1. Ovechkin entered the game with nine goals in 12 career games against Andersen, 52 overall in 91 career games against Carolina and 31 in 45 games in Raleigh, North Carolina, which is the most of any visiting player.

Ovechkin has now scored in three straight games, including matchups on back-to-back days. This week’s goals marked the 60th time in his storied career that he’s scored on consecutive days. He is just the fifth player in NHL history to accomplish the feat. 

The Capitals’ leading goal-scorer has found the back of the net 39 times this season. He already holds the NHL record for most 40-goal seasons with 13. He surpassed Gretzky’s 12 40-goal seasons in 2023. 

Ovechkin and the Capitals return to Capital One Arena on Friday night for a matchup with the Chicago Blackhawks. The Eastern Conference leaders have just three more home games and seven overall before the regular season ends on April 17.

• This article is based in part on wire service reports.