How close is Alex Ovechkin to breaking Wayne Gretzky's record?

Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is now the closest he has ever been to the all-time NHL goal record held by the legendary Wayne Gretzky. With 706 career goals, Ovechkin is just 11 away from overtaking the 894 scored by Gretzky over the course of his 20-year career.

While the two aren’t the same player, the comparison between the two is hard to ignore. Ovechkin has been a mainstay on the Capitals ever since he was drafted first overall in 2004 and has become the franchise’s all-time leading goal scorer.

In his storied career, the 34-year old Russian forward has won the Hart Memorial Trophy three times, the Maurice Richard Trophy eight times, the Ted Lindsay Award four times and the Stanley Cup once.

Ovechkin’s success with the Capitals has been an integral part of the team’s climb to relevance in the NHL landscape over the past two decades. With Gretzky’s all-time record now just within reach, the Capitals have the chance to make history with the goal-scoring prowess of their superstar forward.

The Alex Ovechkin vs Wayne Gretzky debate has been the topic of discussion for years among hockey fans and the time has come for the two players to go head-to-head in the record books. With the talent and drive that Ovechkin has shown throughout his career, the record could soon be shattered and the Washington Capitals will have made their mark in the NHL’s history books.

Only time will tell who the better player is between the two, but the chance to topple Gretzky’s prestigious record and make hockey history is the ultimate goal for the Capitals and Ovechkin. It’s a remarkable moment in the game that the hockey world awaits with bated breath.