Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin moves within 20 goals of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin continues to inch closer to taking possession of one of the NHL’s most impressive records.

Facing the Seattle Kraken on Thursday, Ovechkin sealed the 3-0 road victory for his side, putting home a long-range empty netter with 3:28 remaining in the final frame.

The tally marked Ovechkin’s 22nd goal of the season and 875th of his career, moving him within 19 goals of matching and 20 shy of surpassing the legendary Wayne Gretzky for the NHL’s all-time goals mark.

Despite missing 16 games this season due to a fractured fibula, the 39-year-old Ovechkin has continued to dominate, picking up a team-leading 22 goals in only 32 outings.

An NHL record nine-time recipient of the Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard Trophy as the league’s leading goal scorer, earlier this season Ovechkin also accomplished another major feat, becoming just the second player behind Detroit Red Wings great Gordie Howe to score 20-plus goals in 20 consecutive seasons.

Ovechkin’s accolades also count three-time Hart Trophy recognition as the NHL’s regular season MVP. In 2018, Ovechkin also captained the Capitals to the franchise’s first-ever Stanley Cup championship.

For Ovechkin, his 875 goals have come in 1,458 career contests with Washington, a stretch in which the Russian-born superstar has also added 709 assists for 1,584 points. For Gretzky, his 894 goals and 2,857 career points came in 1,487 career games counting stops with the Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and New York Rangers.

After sneaking into the postseason a year ago despite a minus-37 goal differential, Ovechkin’s pursuit has helped reinvigorate a Capitals squad that has surged to the top of the Eastern Conference with a 33-10-5 record and 71 points. Riding a six-game win streak, the Capitals and Ovechkin will look to make it seven straight victories Saturday when the club takes on the Vancouver Canucks.