Ovechkin Three Goals Closer To Gretzky's Record With Hat Trick Against Oilers

Alex Ovechkin can smell the all-time goal record after scoring a hat trick against the Edmonton Oilers in a 7-3 victory on Sunday. 

With these three tucks, Ovechkin is on pace to score 41 goals this season. In total, he has 29 tallies in 41 games. 

Ovi needs 13 goals to pass Gretzky’s total of 894 goals. At his current goal-scoring pace, he’ll likely claim the record in one of the last games of the season. 

At Ovechkin's current pace, he will break the record against the Chicago Blackhawks on April 4, which will include a matchup against sophomore sensation Connor Bedard. If it works out this way, fans will be treated to an iconic, record-breaking matchup between one of the greatest players to ever do it and a 19-year-old who could very well fill his shoes one day.

Of course, rates can change quickly, especially if Ovechkin gets another multi-goal game along the way. 

All three of the 39-year-old’s goals came in different situations. His first goal came in the second period with a heavy wrist shot from the high slot. Later in the period, he gave Washington a 3-1 lead, converting his famous one-timer from the left faceoff circle on the power play. Finally, he ended his night with an empty-net goal to cement Washington’s 38th win of the campaign. After skating by the bench to celebrate his hat trick, he skated over to his son in the stands and gave him a fist bump. 

The Capitals have been an offensive force to reckon with in their last two games since returning from the 4 Nations Face-Off break. 

In those two games, the Caps have lit the lamp 15 times. On Saturday, Washington defeated the Penguins 8-3. Despite the high-scoring affair, Ovechkin did not get on the scoresheet. 

The ‘Great Eight’ has been dialling back the years in this campaign in terms of offensive production. On top of his 29 goals in 41 games, the Russian sniper has 46 total points this season.

The Caps lead the league with 84 standings points and have a 14-point lead on the Carolina Hurricanes in the Metropolitan Division.

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