His long connection to Russian President Vladimir Putin complicates Alex Ovechkin's legacy in the eyes of some.

That blistering pace of Alex Ovechkin's scoring has increased the onus on the Capitals’ business staff, Ovechkin’s agent and the NHL as they seek to make the most of his chase of the NHL goals record.

Now, at age 39, Ovechkin is on the verge of becoming the NHL's all-time goals leader, and he can pass Gretzky's mark of 894 before the end of season. The Capitals standout currently has 891 career goals after he scored his 38th of the season Tuesday when he tapped home a beautiful Dylan Strome pass on a first-period power play against the Bruins.

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin edged closer to breaking Wayne Gretzky's National Hockey League all-time goals record of 894 on Tuesday, bagging the 891st goal of his career in a 4-3 victory over the Boston Bruins.

Alex Ovechkin scores his 891st career goal. He's just 4 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's NHL record. Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,

Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin is on the doorstep of an NHL record that many thought was unbreakable. The 39-year-old Ovechkin is closing in on Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL goals record of 894.