Alex Ovechkin: the all-time NHL scoring record.

The NHL all-time goal record is one of the many records that the great Wayne Gretzky holds in the league. He dominated the league when playing and still holds over 60 records despite having retired almost 30 years ago. However, this record is now being chased by “The Great 8” Alex Ovechkin. This season has been incredible for Ovechkin with him already breaking Jaromir Jagr’s record for goaltenders scored on with 179 and is pushing towards the all-time goal record and is only 19 goals away from the Oilers legend.

Alex Ovechkin has cemented himself as one of the greatest goal scorers to ever play the game of hockey and surpassing Gretzky will put his name above the rest. Ovechkin’s career has been studded with records and achievements; he has the most power play goals, most goals in away games as well as having recently broken Jagr’s record for most goaltenders scored against, he is also one of only three players to have scored 800 goals. Ovechkin has performed feats that many hockey players couldn’t and has played versatile roles within the Washington Capitals offence, which he has continued to do this season. Although their cast is old they have capitalised on tactical completeness through their experienced veterans that are allowing them to have such a dominant year and allowing Ovechkin to edge closer to Gretzky’s record through his incredible season in which he has already scored 30 goals.

If Ovechkin does break the record which is highly likely, it would be expected that the Washington Capitals would perform well in the playoffs this season. The three-time Hart Trophy winner has, along with co-stars Protas, Dubois and others dragged the Capitals to being the best team in the Metropolitan division. They have been Stanley Cup champions recently and to see Ovechkin top off his outstanding career with one more cup would cement him as not only the greatest scorer of all time but also one of the greatest players to ever touch the ice in the National Hockey League.

Ovechkin is a name that has carried weight since the start of his career and he delivered massively on the hype he had at the start of his career and will feel extremely happy with his career especially if it’s topped off with another record to bring him in to the forefront when it comes to offensive records held bringing him into a group of very respectable names with Geordie Howe, Lemieux, Jagr and Gretzky. A playoff run that could see his team as one of the best in the race for the Stanley Cup would also be an incredible achievement at Ovechkin’s age and will finalise him as “The Great 8.”