Alex Ovechkin scored his 861st career goal in a 3-2 win against the Nashville Predators, moving him just 33 goals away from Wayne Gretzky's all-time record of 894. Ovechkin is experiencing a strong start to the 2024-25 season with eight goals in 12 games, which is a significant improvement from last season's slow beginning. Wayne Gretzky expressed optimism about Ovechkin breaking the record, highlighting that the milestone is beneficial for the sport. At age 39, Ovechkin is on pace for 52 goals this season, potentially marking his 10th 50-goal campaign, which would surpass Gretzky's record for most in NHL history. The Washington Capitals, under coach Spencer Carbery, have also shown impressive team performance, currently boasting an 8-3-0 record. Recently named the NHL's First Star of the Week, Ovechkin's contributions include five goals and four assists over four games, marking his best start since the 2021-22 season.