Alex Ovechkin is creeping ever closer to NHL history. It's been known for some time that Ovechkin has a legitimate shot at breaking Wayne Gretzky's career goals record should he stay healthy and keep up his blistering scoring pace.

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin is already one of the most heralded players in NHL history. The legendary forward already has a ton of records on the NHL history books, but there's one more still to go that could put him in the pantheon of all-time greats.

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin scored in the 3rd period against the Nashville Predators to bring him within 21 goals of Wayne Gretzky.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Alex Ovechkin had a goal and an assist, Ethen Frank got his first NHL goal and the Washington Capitals beat the Nashville Predators 4-1 on Saturday night. Tom Wilson and Andrew Mangiapane also scored for the Capitals. Logan Thompson stopped 32 shots as the Capitals won for the second time in three games.

Alex Ovechkin has four goals in five games since returning from a broken leg. The Washington Capitals captain now has 19 this season and at 872 in his career is 23 away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's NHL record.

The Washington Capitals are fiddling with the lineup to try and help Alex Ovechkin break an all-time great scoring record.