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.

Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is closing in on the NHL career goals record of 894 held by Wayne Gretzky. Ovechkin has 870 goals and needs 25 to set a new record.

Here's today's NHL Nugget – this Milestone Monday heads to Dec. 30, 1981, when Wayne Gretzky had a night to remember with the Edmonton Oilers. Gretzky scored five goals against the Philadelphia Flyers to reach the 50-goal mark in 39 games, shattering an NHL record in the process.

Ovechkin scored what turned out to be the winner to help the Capitals beat the New York Rangers 7-4 on Saturday. It was his 133rd game-winning goal.