Alex Ovechkin is creeping ever closer to NHL history. It's been known for some time that Ovechkin has a legitimate shot at breaking Wayne Gretzky's career goals record should he stay healthy and keep up his blistering scoring pace.

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.

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin scored in the 3rd period against the Nashville Predators to bring him within 21 goals of Wayne Gretzky.

Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is closing in on the NHL career goals record of 894 held by Wayne Gretzky. Ovechkin has 873 goals and needs 22 to set a new record. Ovechkin entered the season 42 short of breaking a record by “The Great One” that long seemed unapproachable.

WASHINGTON — Coaching Alex Ovechkin for three seasons has normalized his hot pursuit of Wayne Gretzky's NHL career goals record for Peter Laviolette. “Not a crazy thing at all,” Laviolette said before his New York Rangers faced Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals on Saturday. “I don’t see him slowing down.”

A long-standing record is close to being broken. On Saturday evening, Alexander Ovechkin potted an empty net goal for his 20th of the season, giving him 873 career goals.