The beginning of the 2023-24 season wasn't just bad for the Washington Capitals and Alexander Ovechkin, it was downright terrible. Ovechkin seemed like a shell of his former self, unable to score goals seemingly at will, something he'd been able to do for so long. It left many wondering whether The Great 8 had lost his chance of beating what is perhaps the most highly sought after record in hockey, the NHL's All-Time Goal-scoring Leader. Despite all that, things have taken a big turn.
Ovechkin has turned his fortunes around recently, scoring 6 goals in his last 6 games. That definitely puts the 38-year-old back on track to potentially take over the top slot in goal-scoring from The Great One.
If Ovechkin can stay healthy and avoid too many rough patches like at the beginning of the season, catching Gretzky's record doesn't just seem possible, it seems very doable for someone of Ovi's calibre. There's also no guarantee he ends his career at the end of his current contract, either. Especially if he's just a few goals away from catching No. 99. If I had to bet on it at the moment, my money would be on Ovechkin becoming the new NHL's most-goals record holder. Ovechkin recently surpassed The Great One for most empty net goals of all time.
