Now, at age 39, Ovechkin is on the verge of becoming the NHL's all-time goals leader, and he can pass Gretzky's mark of 894 before the end of season. The Capitals standout currently has 889 career goals after he scored his 36th of the season in the third period of Washington's 3-2 overtime road loss to the Winnipeg Jets on March 25.

For years, Wayne Gretzky's record of 894 career regular-season goals was widely thought to be untouchable. Now, the Washington Capitals star has just a handful to go to claim the record as his own.

Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is closing in on the NHL goals record of 894 held by Wayne Gretzky. Ovechkin has 889 goals and needs five to tie and six to break the record.