Russian Star Ovechkin Chases More Than Just Goals in Pursuit of Gretzky’s All-Time Scoring Record

‘Ovi’s’ power-play mastery helps him chase ’The Great One’s’ record, but age and injury loom large.

Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals shoots against the Toronto Maple Leafs during overtime at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 13, 2024. Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin has long been a goon goal-scorer, meaning he powers along the ice, sinking his blades firmly into the frozen surface and frequently cracking pucks toward the net with the force of a hundred slapshots.

Because of that, Ovechkin, who notched his 31st career hat trick on Sunday in a 5-2 victory over the Las Vegas Golden Knights, tends to leave a deep impression on the ice that follows him as he chases Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record for National Hockey League goals. He’s second on the list, only 27 goals shy of Gretzky, and he’ll be stuck at that number for a while after leaving with a lower-body injury in the third period of Monday’s 6-2 victory over the Utah Hockey Club.