Ovechkin’s goal, for the record, was his 60th empty netter, the most in NHL history. More importantly, it brought him to within 25 goals -- of any kind -- of matching Gretzky’s mark of 894, a chase the entire hockey world will be watching for the remainder of the season.

Now, things get a bit more challenging if Ovechkin plans to make history in 2024-25. He currently stands at 868 career goals, leaving him with 27 to go in order to slide into clai

Goaltender Logan Thompson made 35 saves on 37 shots for Washington, including a stunning denial with his glove in the first period. Matt Murray, making just his second start of the season, stopped 27 shots for Toronto.