What the odds say: Will Ovi break Gretzky's record this season?

At this point, Alex Ovechkin breaking Wayne Gretzky's long-standing goals record is inevitable.

Ovechkin is only 11 goals away from reaching the 895 mark and being crowned the greatest scorer in hockey history. But will he get the job done this season?

The Washington Capitals lead the Eastern Conference and have 22 games remaining on their schedule, including Monday night's contest against the Ottawa Senators. Ovechkin is scoring at an absurd clip this season, with 31 tallies in only 44 games. His 0.70 goals-per-game average suggests he should reach 895 with room to spare.

The betting odds reflect the likelihood that one of Gretzky's many records will fall by the end of the season. Ovechkin is -250 at theScore Bet/ESPN Bet to score at least 42 goals this season, which he needs to do to reach 895. Those odds equate to a 71.4% implied probability.

On the other hand, he's +175 to not break The Great One's record, which is a 36.4% implied probability.

Choosing the team that could be Ovechkin's opponent when he breaks the record will prove more difficult, but some have higher odds than others.

Ovechkin will probably pot goal No. 895 in April, and the Capitals play the Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Islanders, and Carolina Hurricanes twice that month. The Blue Jackets are the +400 favorites to concede the record-breaking goal, while the Islanders are +500, and the Hurricanes are +600.

Opponent for Ovechkin's 895th NHL goal

There's a chance Ovi stays hot and gets the job done before April, making the Minnesota Wild or Winnipeg Jets enticing options at +2000 and +2500, respectively.

Or maybe Ovechkin brings the drama and breaks the record in the last contest of the regular season against the Pittsburgh Penguins and longtime rival Sidney Crosby.

Either way, Ovechkin's chase of Gretzky should keep hockey fans glued to Capitals games for the remainder of the schedule.