Ovechkin scores in Gretzky record chase, but another goal is wiped out

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin’s goals have been less frequent this season as he chases all-time leader Wayne Gretzky and tries to break a record once thought unbreakable.

He ended a mini-drought Saturday night with a tying goal against the Nashville Predators, then wristed in a go-ahead goal with less than a minute left in regulation. But the situation room in Toronto took away the goal, saying Washington’s Nic Dowd impaired Predators goalie Yaroslav Askarov’s ability to play his position in the crease.

‘My personal take is there’s not enough there to overturn – especially to overturn because that’s where it gets tricky because when it’s called a goal on the ice, it has to be very, very evident to overturn,’ Capitals coach Spencer Carbery told reporters. ‘That’s the way it’s been described to us from the league. Given that, is there enough there? It’s tight. For me, that goal should stand.’

It didn’t and a potential 3-2 win eventually turned into a 3-2 shootout loss.

Gretzky, who played from 1979-99, leads the way with 894 regular-season NHL goals. Ovechkin, 38, who passed Gordie Howe last season to move into second place, now has 829 goals and needs 66 more for the record. He’s behind the pace but has two years left on his contract after this season

Here’s where he stands in his chase of Gretzky’s goal record:

How many goals does Alex Ovechkin have this season?

Ovechkin needs to average 24 goals a season to tie Gretzky’s record. With seven goals in his first 34 games, he is on pace for around 17.

What did Alex Ovechkin do in his last game?

Dec. 30: After his second goal was overturned, he finished the night with one goal on two shots. That goal was on his signature move: a one-timer from the left faceoff circle. It occurred just after a Capitals power play had expired, so it was at even strength.

Askarov is the 171st different goaltender Ovechkin has scored on in his career.

Here’s the potential winner that was overturned.

How is Alex Ovechkin’s season going?

Ovechkin had no shots on goal in consecutive games for the first time in his career and only two goals in his first 12 games. He scored three goals over his next three games before going through a 14-game drought, a career worst. He went another three games without a goal before scoring on Saturday.

The Capitals’ power play, which is missing injured Nicklas Backstrom and struggled early, has been better in December but ranks 30th in the league. Ovechkin, the all-time leader in power-play goals, has two this season.

When do Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals play next?

Jan. 2 at the Pittsburgh Penguins. He has 39 goals in 73 career games against the Penguins.

Who are the NHL’s top all-time goal scorers?

The top 20 NHL all-time goal scorers have all topped 600 goals. All are in the Hockey Hall of Fame, except Ovechkin and Jaromir Jagr, who has suited up this season in the Czech Republic.

1. Wayne Gretzky,  894 goals in 1,487 games

2. Alex Ovechkin, 829 goals in 1,381 games

3. Gordie Howe, 801 goals in 1,767 games

4. Jaromir Jagr, 766 goals in 1,733 games

5. Brett Hull, 741 goals in 1,269 games

6. Marcel Dionne, 731 in 1,348 games

7. Phil Esposito, 717 goals in 1,282 games

8. Mike Gartner, 708 goals in 1,432 games

9. Mark Messier, 694 goals in 1,756 games

10. Steve Yzerman, 692 goals in 1,514 games

11. Mario Lemieux, 690 goals in 915 games

12. Teemu Selanne, 684 goals in 1,451 games

13. Luc Robitaille, 668 goals in 1,431 games

14. Brendan Shanahan, 656 goals in 1,524 games

15. Dave Andreychuk, 640 goals in 1,639 games

16. Jarome Iginla, 625 goals in 1,554 games

17. Joe Sakic, 625 goals in 1,378 games

18. Bobby Hull, 610 goals in 1,063 games

19. Dino Ciccarelli, 608 goals in 1,232 games

20. Jari Kurri, 601 goals in 1,251 games