39-Year-Old Ovechkin Shatters NHL Milestones While Chasing Gretzky’s “Unbreakable” Record
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin continues rewriting hockey history at 39, achieving three monumental milestones in the 2024-25 NHL season while recovering from a broken fibula that sidelined him for a month. The Russian superstar now stands just 92 goals away from surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record of 894 career goals.
The Comeback King
After suffering a knee-on-knee collision with Utah forward Jack McBain on November 18 that fractured his fibula, Ovechkin returned ahead of schedule on December 28 – scoring an empty-net goal against Toronto just 16 games later. His relentless drive propelled him to:
- Become only the second player ever with 20 consecutive 20-goal seasons (joining Gordie Howe) on January 11
- Surpass Jaromir Jagr’s record by scoring against his 179th different goaltender on January 16
- Reach 700 career assists on October 15 – joining Gretzky and Howe in the elite 700G/700A club
The Great 8’s Unstoppable Formula
Capitals coach Spencer Carbery recently marveled at Ovechkin’s evolving playmaking: “Everybody thinks ‘shot’ when he gets the puck, but that look-off pass? It’s surgical.” This season’s stats reveal why defenses can’t cheat:
| Category | Stat | NHL Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 17 (pre-injury) | 1st |
| Shots | 143 | 3rd |
| Power Play Goals | 8 | 2nd |
The Final Countdown?
With 844 career goals through February 2025, Ovechkin needs just 51 more to pass Gretzky – a total he’s reached nine times previously in full seasons. Capitals GM Brian MacLellan told reporters: “When he’s healthy, that shot remains lethal. We’re witnessing history every shift.”
As playoff-bound Washington eyes postseason redemption after last year’s first-round exit, all eyes stay fixed on number 8’s pursuit of hockey immortality.
