Ovechkin nets hat trick vs. Oilers to move within 13 of Gretzky

Alex Ovechkin gained major ground on Wayne Gretzky in the chase for the all-time goals crown Sunday.

The ageless Washington Capitals captain buried a hat trick against the Edmonton Oilers to bring his career total to 882 goals, 13 away from breaking the record. He capped off his day with an empty-netter.

Ovechkin's first two goals were vintage. First, he burned Calvin Pickard with a wrister from the slot.

Then, Ovechkin did what he does best: a one-timer from the left circle. That tally also stood as the game-winner, which tied Jaromir Jagr for the most such goals in NHL history (135), per Capitals PR.

Ovechkin's hat trick was his second of the season and 32nd of his career, matching Phil Esposito for the fifth most in NHL history, according to the NHLPA. He's up to 29 tallies in 2024-25, good for seventh in the NHL at 39 years old.

His empty-netter was his 64th, adding to his all-time record. Ovechkin also padded his benchmark of most goalies scored on, making Pickard his 181st netminder beat.

Ovechkin's performance propelled Washington to a 7-3 victory and moved the Capitals to first place in the NHL standings with 84 points. Ovechkin has 25 games left this season to track down Gretzky.