Wayne Gretzky scored an incredible 894 regular season goals in his 20 seasons in the NHL.

A goal record by the Canadian center - called "the Great One" and considered by many to be the best hockey player of all time - which many have considered impossible to beat.

But now Alexander Ovetchkin is approaching, by leaps and bounds.

This season, the Washington star has accounted for 22 goals in just 31 games.

Thus, he has passed both Marcel Dionne and Brett Hull on the all-time goal list, and now the Russian is listed for 752 goals.

With that, he is fourth in the statistics.

Only 14 goals separate up to Jaromir Jagr's 766. And after that, only Gordie Howes 801 and thus Gretzky's 894 remain.

"He will pass"

The now 60-year-old Gretzky believes that Ovetchkin, despite being 36 years old, will make it.

And he does not mind.

- It's not even a question of whether he will pass me, and I think it's fantastic.

He is on his way to 40 or 50 goals this season, maybe more.

"There is no doubt that he will eventually break the record," Gretzky told the New York Post

CLIP: Ovetchkin touches powerplay goal record (December 16, 2021)

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Ovetchkin touches powerplay goal record