At the age of 39 and 21 goals away from passing Wayne Gretzky, Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has the best goal-scoring pace in the NHL. Ovechkin has 21 goals in 29 games, including six in 11 games since returning from a broken leg that held him out for 40 days.

The 39-year-old winger took a pass from Rasmus Sandin on a 2-on-1 breakaway and fired it past rookie Leevi Merilainen, the record 179th goaltender he's scored on.

Alex Ovechkin continues his run at Wayne Gretzky and the most goals in NHL history with the Capitals (31-10-5) attempting to extend their 10-game point streak (7-0-3). Washington's captain is 21 from breaking Gretzky's record of 894 and goes head to head with Edmonton forward Leon Draisaitl,

Ovechkin scored his 22nd goal of the season to push his career total to 875. Gretzky scored 894 goals in the NHL.

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.

Alex Ovechkin was held off the scoresheet for nearly 57 minutes in a 3-0 Washington Capitals win over the Seattle Kraken on Thursday night — but The Great Eight found a way to do what he does best just before the final buzzer.