Alex Ovechkin has 26 goals this season and 879 career goals. The Washington Capitals captain is now 16 away from breaking ...

This is a collection of photos chosen by AP photo editors.

Now closing in on Wayne Gretzky’s career goals record, the 39-year-old Ovechkin is now playing ... to play against guys like him.” PHOTOS: Alex Ovechkin has been role model his whole career.

Gretzky scored 51 goals that season -- the first of his nine 50-goal seasons, an NHL record he shares with Ovechkin and Mike ...

PHILADELPHIA — When Russian players with a heavy dose of offensive skill enter the NHL, there’s an inclination to compare them to Alex Ovechkin ... at 39 years old. Goaltender Charlie Lindgren ...

(AP Photo/Wa Funches) FILE - Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin celebrates after his winning goal against the Ottawa Senators during overtime NHL hockey game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Thursday ...

Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is closing in on the NHL goals record of 894 held by Wayne Gretzky. Ovechkin has 879 ...

Alex Ovechkin ... the record. Ovechkin entered the season 42 short of breaking the regular-season record by "The Great One" that long seemed unapproachable. The 39-year-old Russian is in his ...

(AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)(AP/Nick Wass) Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals ... One” that long seemed unapproachable. The 39-year-old Russian is in his 20th NHL season and was on pace ...

(AP Photo/Nick Wass) Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is ... Great One” that long seemed unapproachable. The 39-year-old Russian is in his 20th NHL season and was on pace to get to ...