The Washington Capitals defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets with a 7-2 victory, highlighting a tough stretch for the Blue Jackets influenced by consecutive losses and a demanding schedule. Alex Ovechkin continues to chase Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL goal record, needing just 37 more goals to surpass the legendary mark of 894. Ovechkin's recent performance against the Blue Jackets, where he notched his 858th goal, underscores his continued prowess and the Capitals' strong start to the season. He has scored against 176 different goaltenders, ranking him among the top in NHL history for this statistic. With Ovechkin on track for potentially another 30-goal season, he remains a formidable force at 39 years old, well within reach of breaking Gretzky's record this season.