Alex Ovechkin Inches Closer to Wayne Gretzky’s Goal Record in Capitals Thrilling Victory

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin continues on the path to the rarefied air afforded one of hockey's worthiest in scoring 885 career goals against the New York Rangers Wednesday night. With the latest goal, Ovechkin sits nine away from Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL record of 894 goals. Thus the historic feat now appears to be at the threshold, in which Ovechkin is nigh to achieving what was once said to be the unbreakable milestone. The game exhibited all Ovechkin qualities and left a fan base salivating.Alex Ovechkin got the puck midway through the third period, slapping away a loose puck on the left side with 9:32 remaining to tie the game up at 2-2. With this instinct on the power play, it was the kind of timely play the Capitals needed. Head Coach Spencer Carbery praised Ovechkin for his flair for the dramatic in producing when it counts.Apart from the 16 games he missed earlier on in the season due to an injury on his left fibula, Ovechkin continues on. With 32 goals in 46 games, the latest in 17 goals in his last 28 games, his record chase is what the hockey world cannot overlook in making a claim on being a must-watch event. The goal also brought Ovechkin four Inducted Power Play Goals, which makes it 321. One below the threshold to become the 11th member to enter the 1,600 career points club in the league. Ovechkin's zeal and determination further enrich this journey, and the levels of enthusiasm stirred by him are shared by fans and his fellow players alike.Also Read: Penguins Goalie Alex Nedeljkovic’s Frustration Boils Over in Win Against FlyerWith only 10 goals left to cross the Gretzky mark, the fever pitch leading up to the feat is now almost unbearable. The Capitals' captain has shown himself ageless and unimpeded by injury. He is still nourishing his love of the game. If he keeps this up, April may very well witness the shattering of the historic record, and maybe in the first week of April, before the conclusion of the regular season. With every inch made toward rewriting history, the hockey world now awaits the moment when he makes it formal as the greatest goal scorer ever in the history of the NHL. Be it through skill or a higher degree of will, Ovechkin's journey marks his masterpiece.