WINNIPEG — Alex Ovechkin pumped consecutive one-timers on a power play.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was there to deny both second-period efforts from a spot where the Washington Capitals winger has made a living the last two decades.
Ovechkin got another chance with the puck on his stick from a similar position in the third.
He didn't miss.
The 39-year-old scored on a bullet shot to inch closer to hockey immortality with the 889th goal of his NHL career — just six from passing Wayne Gretzky's all-time mark — in Washington's 3-2 overtime loss Tuesday.
Ovechkin received a pass from Aliaksei Protas and took a breath after a long shift in the offensive zone before firing past Hellebuyck's blocker with four minutes left in regulation to tie the game 2-2 inside a crackling Canada Life Centre.
"I knew we were going to push," said Washington head coach Spencer Carbery, whose team earned a point and remains atop the overall standings. "It's a big play and a big moment."
Ovechkin started the season 41 goals shy of the Great One's record of 894. The Russian superstar has now scored 36 times in just 55 games in 2024-25 after missing 16 contests with a broken leg earlier in the schedule.
"I love to see it," Capitals forward Nic Dowd said. "He's our leader. Didn't surprise me one bit. I think (Ovechkin) is probably very concentrated on winning hockey games. The great thing about that is as he scores more goals, we probably win more games. I don't think he's thinking about (the record).
"He's just trying to play his best hockey."
Ovechkin's teammates praised their captain earlier in the day for how he's navigated the chase with the Capitals humming along and the playoffs just over the horizon.
"It is what it is," said the No. 1 pick at the 2004 draft. "It's a fun time. You just have to enjoy it. It's a special moment. Everybody's watching, everybody's paying attention."
Gretzky has topped the goal heap since passing Gordie Howe's previous high bar of 801 in March 1994.
Ovechkin has 12 games left to unseat No. 99 this season.
"When you're on him, you're not even really on him," Jets forward Mason Appleton said. "You've got to be in his pocket or you've basically gotta be touching him because his release is so lethal. You can't just be fronting him because he can get pucks through, around, every which way through the guy. He's a heck of a goal-scorer.
"You give him just a little time and space and he can kill you."
Carbery said it's a constant conversation with Ovechkin when it comes to ice time late in games for a player in his 20th NHL season. That was no different Tuesday.
"He's good about that," said the second-year coach. "He obviously wants to be out there, and then I just manage it with certain matchups in certain situations."
Jets bench boss Scott Arniel, who was an assistant in Washington for four seasons, got some attention from the Great 8 after he tied Tuesday's game.
"He came by the bench and he gave me the biggest smirk," Arniel said. "I'm not glad he got the goal. I'm glad he's getting close … end of the day, that's him. It doesn't take much.
"On his stick, off his stick."
And one shot closer to history.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 25, 2025.
Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press
