Moscow, a cold December evening, the wind slicing through the Red Square like a sharpened blade. Inside the Kremlin, a file is slid across a dark mahogany desk.

Ovechkin entered this season needing 42 goals to break Gretzky's record of 894 career goals, which has stood since 1999. The Washington captain has 23 goals this season, with 31 games left. This season, he moved into second place with 20 consecutive 20-goal seasons and set a record for the number of goalies he has scored against in his career.

The Great Eight is within striking distance of Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL goals record of 894, which Gretzky reached on March 29, 1999, against the New York Islanders. Ovechkin began this season with 853 career goals.

Gretzky and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told Monumental Sports Network in December that they both plan on traveling with the team as Ovechkin approaches the record. "I think whe

Legendary former Oilers coach and general manager Glen Sather recently shared his surprisingly harsh opinion that he doesn't want Alexander Ovechkin to beat Wayne Gretzky's goal record.