Wayne Gretzky, famously known as “The Great One,” has held numerous important NHL records, including the record for the most career goals scored, which stands at 894. However, this record is on the verge of being surpassed by Washington Capitals’ star Alex Ovechkin, who is on track to score his 895th goal this season, potentially achieving this historic milestone on April 3rd.
The odds currently favor Ovechkin scoring his 895th career goal this season, with a bet payout of -425 for yes, while the no option stands at +330. There are also specific odds on which team Ovechkin might score his record-breaking goal against, with the Blue Jackets and Islanders being the more favored options.
Gretzky retired in 1999, meaning his 894-goal record has stood for 25 years. He originally broke Gordie Howe’s previous record of 801 goals back in 1994, establishing himself as the top goal scorer for three decades. As of April 3, the 39-year-old Ovechkin has scored 892 goals over 1,485 games, just two goals short of Gretzky’s 894 in 1,487 games. With seven regular season games left, Ovechkin needs three goals to surpass the record, and he has already scored 39 goals in 59 games this season.
Ovechkin seems to hope to break the record against either the Blue Jackets or Islanders, with upcoming games against these teams scheduled for early to mid-April. Joining Gretzky and Howe, Ovechkin is one of only three players in NHL history to score over 800 regular-season goals. If he continues to play next season, he is poised to be the only player to enter the 900-goal club in the regular season.
Gretzky still holds the overall record for combined regular season and playoff goals with 1,016, while Ovechkin has 964 goals combining both.
Fan Take: This moment is a landmark in hockey history, symbolizing the changing of the guard and highlighting the incredible career of a modern-day legend. For hockey fans, Ovechkin breaking Gretzky’s record not only honors the game’s rich past but also inspires excitement for the sport’s future.
