With Ovi set to break Gretzky's career goals record, many comparisons have been drawn between them. But only one man can say he was a teammate of both.

Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has now moved within 23 goals of catching Wayne Gretzky for most goals in NHL history.

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.

Bruce Boudreau always saw greatness in “The Great 8”. The former Vancouver Canucks head coach guided Alex Ovechkin for nearly five seasons with the Washington Capitals. His awe of the NHL superstar became a conviction that he would one day eclipse Wayne Gretzky’s career goal record of 894.

Dylan Strome had a goal and two assists, Alex Ovechkin added his 872nd career goal and the Washington Capitals earned a 7-4 victory against the visiting New York Rangers on Saturday. Logan Thompson made 29 saves for the Capitals as Ovechkin inched closer to Wayne Gretzky's NHL record of 894 goals.

Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin scored in the third period of the Capitals' 7-4 win over the New York Rangers on Saturday afternoon, bringing him within 23 of breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time scoring record.

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.

Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is closing in on the NHL career goals record of 894 held by Wayne Gretzky. Ovechkin has 870 goals and needs 25 to set a new record.