But Ovechkin left that Nov. 18 game against the Utah Hockey Club with what the team initially described as a lower-body injury. An X-ray revealed a broken left fibula, bringing his pursuit of Gretzky’s record to a screeching halt.

At this point, the record falling looks imminent. But when? Now that's an interesting and possibly infuriating question.

WASHINGTON — Coaching Alex Ovechkin for three seasons has normalized his hot pursuit of Wayne Gretzky's NHL career goals record for Peter Laviolette. “Not a crazy thing at all,” Laviolette said before his New York Rangers faced Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals on Saturday. “I don’t see him slowing down.”

Ovechkin’s goal, for the record, was his 60th empty netter, the most in NHL history. More importantly, it brought him to within 25 goals -- of any kind -- of matching Gretzky’s mark of 894, a chase the entire hockey world will be watching for the remainder of the season.

Ovehckin is 23 goals back of the all-time leader, meaning Washington's games in late March and April will be must-see TV.

Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is closing in on the NHL career goals record of 894 held by Wayne Gretzky. Ovechkin has 870 goals and needs 25 to set a new record.

Ovechkin scored the fifth goal in a 7-4 win to get No. 872 and move 23 back of breaking Gretzky's record of 894 that long seemed unapproachable. He has four in five games since returning from missing the previous 16 with a broken leg.

Ovechkin scored what turned out to be the winner to help the Capitals beat the New York Rangers 7-4 on Saturday. It was his 133rd game-winning goal.