Ovechkin scores goal No. 886, becomes 11th player to reach 1,600 points

Washington Capitals icon Alex Ovechkin scored an empty-net goal Sunday against the Seattle Kraken to move within nine tallies of Wayne Gretzky's all-time record while becoming the 11th NHL player to record 1,600 points.

The goal was Ovechkin's 33rd of the season and 886th of his career. Here's the company he keeps on the all-time points list after yet another momentous achievement.

Crosby also joined the 1,600 club this season.

Ovechkin has scored 11 goals in his last 14 contests and 18 in 30 since returning from a broken tibia in December.

The Capitals predictably had nothing but praise for their captain after his latest feat.

"What I've learned with 'O' is you never underestimate (him because) it just takes one moment," head coach Spencer Carbery said, per Monumental Sports' Tarik El-Bashir. "We win a hockey game and he's got another goal - another one down. You just can never underestimate what he's capable of doing."

Dylan Strome noted the Capitals push to get Ovechkin looks in empty-net situations.

"Obviously, when the goalie is pulled, we're all thinking it," he said. "I'm sure everyone else is thinking it, too. It's still a pretty skilled play to go backhand through a guy's leg or stick and find a way to score that. Nine more."

The Capitals have 18 games remaining this season for Ovechkin to continue his chase. Washington's win Sunday padded its lead atop the Eastern Conference with 92 points.