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.

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.

Ovechkin is now just the second player in NHL history, joining Gordie Howe, to hit 20 goals in 20 consecutive seasons. He is now two 20-goal campaigns away from the most in NHL history, a record still held by Howe.

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

Alex Ovechkin made history again Saturday night, scoring an empty net goal in a 4-1 win for the Washington Capitals over the Nashville Predators and becoming just the third player in NHL history register 20 20-goal seasons.

The Nashville Predators had a 32-16 shot advantage but allowed the Washington Capitals pulled away in the third period in a 4-1 loss Saturday at Bridgestone Arena. Forsberg-Stamkos-Marchessault Hinostroza-O'Reilly-Nyquist Novak-Svechkov-L'Heureux Jankowski-McCarron-Sissons Josi-Barron Skjei-Blankenburg Stastney-Schenn Saros Annunen Forward Zachary L'Heureux returned to the lineup after serving a three-game suspension for slew-footing Minnesota Wild captain Jared Spurgeon Dec.