Washington blows a pair of leads in a 4-3 loss even as Alex Ovechkin pulls within 24 goals of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s hallowed goals record. The Minnesota Wild has had the Washington Capitals’ number over the past three seasons, and that run continued Thursday night at Capital One Arena — with this latest chapter ending in a shootout.

The Great Eight is within striking distance of Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL goals record of 894, which Gretzky reached on March 29, 1999, against the New York Islanders. Ovechkin began this season with 853 career goals.

At this point, the record falling looks imminent. But when? Now that's an interesting and possibly infuriating question.

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin is already one of the most heralded players in NHL history. The legendary forward already has a ton of records on the NHL history books, but there's one more still to go that could put him in the pantheon of all-time greats.

Alex Ovechkin moves closer to Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL goalscoring record with this fierce finish vs. the Wild.

Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) with a Goal vs. Minnesota Wild, 01/02/2025. Home; NFL; NCAAF; NBA; Daily Draw; NHL; Fantasy Football; NCAAB; NCAAW; MLB; Soccer; Tennis; Golf;