Alex Ovechkin Focuses on Reaching 900 Career Goals
Alex Ovechkin is on the verge of achieving a remarkable milestone in his storied NHL career. Currently, he is just one goal away from becoming the first player in league history to score 900 career goals. This achievement comes after he passed Wayne Gretzky for the all-time goals record in April.
Ovechkin’s Journey to 900 Goals
As it stands, the NHL will not host a special event for this milestone, unlike his previous achievements. Despite the lack of fanfare, Ovechkin has been vocal about the significance of reaching 900 goals. “Nobody scores 900, so it’ll be nice to be the first one,” he stated after practice.
Recent Performance
Ovechkin is coming off a strong season at age 39, where he scored 44 goals in 65 games. He showcased resilience by bouncing back from a midseason broken leg. Analysts predicted a robust start for him this season, with hopes he might achieve his 900th goal during the opening night. In the past, Ovechkin has typically reached significant milestones swiftly.
Milestones and Game Data
Here’s a look at how many games it took Ovechkin to reach major milestones when just one goal away:
| Goal Milestone | Games to Reach | Date Achieved |
|---|---|---|
| 900 goals | 4 (and counting) | Upcoming |
| 895 goals | 0 | April 4, 2025 |
| 894 goals | 0 | April 4, 2025 |
| 802 goals | 0 | December 23, 2022 |
| 800 goals | 0 | March 15, 2022 |
| 700 goals | 0 | February 22, 2020 |
The longest Ovechkin has taken to reach a milestone while one goal away was five games. Notably, after scoring a hat trick against the Chicago Blackhawks to reach his 800th goal, he experienced a brief scoring lull. He finally passed Gordie Howe by reaching 801 and 802 goals on December 23, 2022, in a game against the Winnipeg Jets.
Current Season Outlook
As Ovechkin prepares to play against the St. Louis Blues, it will be his fifth game since scoring his 899th goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets on October 24. At age 40, Ovechkin has had a slow start this season, netting only two goals and recording seven points in his first twelve games.
“Sometimes you can’t score in five or six games, and then you score 10 games in a row. Yeah, we’ll see,” he remarked about his current form. The Capitals captain is gradually returning to his best after dealing with a lower-body injury sustained during training camp.
“It’s still a process,” Ovechkin commented. “Every game you feel better and better, with the touches, conditioning-wise.”
