Ovechkin, 39, had a red-hot start to the season and had scored five goals in his previous two games before the injury. His 15 goals this season puts him at 868 for his career, 27 away from breaking the NHL record of 894 held by Wayne Gretzky.

Ovechkin led the league with 15 goals in 18 games before getting injured last month. He is now 27 away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s mark of 894 goals that was once considered unapproachable.

Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is closing in on the NHL career goals record of 894 held by Wayne Gretzky. Ovechkin has 868 goals after scoring 15 in the first 18 games this season. Ovechkin entered the season 42 short of breaking a record by “The Great One” that long seemed unapproachable.