Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is closing in on the NHL career goals record of 894 held by Wayne Gretzky. Ovechkin has 868 goals after scoring 15 in the first 18 games this season. He needs 27 to set a new 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.

The Capitals captain has not played since suffering the injury during a collision with Jack McBain of the Utah Hockey Club on Nov. 18. At that time, Ovechkin was leading the NHL in goals with 15. As he returns, he sits nine goals behind league leader Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers.