ESPN News Services
RALEIGH, N.C. — Alex Ovechkin moved another step closer to breaking Wayne Gretzky‘s NHL record by scoring his 892nd career goal in the Washington Capitals‘ 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday night.
Ovechkin moved two away from tying Gretzky and three from passing him.
The 39-year-old Russian said he was disappointed in his team’s loss and that he couldn’t score another one. He had a point-blank shot stopped by Carolina goalie Frederik Andersen early in the second period with the Capitals trailing 3-0.
“We have a pretty good chance in the second, first shift a breakaway,” Ovechkin said. “And in this game, if you have a chance, you have to use it, and I think all goalies play well tonight.”
Ovechkin also had an early opportunity to set the tone for the night, but just five minutes in, he had the puck poked away from behind by Carolina’s top defenseman, Jaccob Slavin.
To get No. 892, Ovechkin beat Andersen on a 5-on-3 power play with 34.5 seconds left in the second period. Ovechkin now has 10 goals in 13 career games against Andersen, 53 overall in the 92 games he has faced Carolina and 32 in 46 games in Raleigh, which is the most of any visiting player.
Ovechkin’s wife, Nastya, along with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and Capitals owner Ted Leonsis were in attendance for No. 892, sitting together in a suite.
All eyes were on Ovechkin and “The GR8 Chase,” but the third period devolved into an old-school, rough-and-tumble hockey game. Eight players, four from each team, were given misconduct penalties after multiple fights and scrums.
Ovechkin was poised to get another late power-play chance before the Capitals’ Connor McMichael had a roughing penalty tacked on to his fighting major.
“We understand there’s a possibility to see them in the playoffs,” Ovechkin said of the Hurricanes. “It was a playoff atmosphere out there.”
Ovechkin has 39 goals this season, tied for the second most in a single season (Gordie Howe, 1967-68) in NHL history among players age 39 or older. Howe’s 44 in 1968-69 are the most.
Ovechkin is one away from reaching 40 for a 14th time — also the most in league history — despite missing 16 games because of a broken left fibula.
Ovechkin scored goal No. 891 a night earlier during a 4-3 victory at the Boston Bruins to set up the 60th time in his regular-season career that he has scored in back-to-back games, the fifth player in league history to achieve that feat.
The Eastern Conference-leading Capitals have seven more games left this season, starting Friday against the visiting Chicago Blackhawks. Ovechkin has scored 15 goals in 25 career games versus the Blackhawks but has been without a goal in his past two matchups against them.
Washington defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk expects an electric atmosphere at Capital One Arena.
“[The record] feels like it’s right there,” van Riemsdyk said. “He feels like he’s still scoring every night. It’s been huge for us and awesome for him to see that he’s still doing it at this torrid pace.”
Based on his season and career scoring averages, Ovechkin is on pace to break the record April 13 at home against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The record is for regular-season games only.
Information from ESPN Research and The Associated Press was used in this report.
