Ovechkin did not score in the Capitals' 4–1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. However, he moved within 21 goals of passing Gretzky with No. 874 in his career after scoring the game-winner in overtime against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday. The goal was his 21st this season.

The 39-year-old winger took a pass from Rasmus Sandin on a 2-on-1 breakaway and fired it past rookie Leevi Merilainen, the record 179th goaltender he's scored on.

As Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin chases greatness and a record once thought to be impossible, he finds himself in the spotlight on the path to 895 career goals — but he refuses to bask in it.