Ovechkin, 40, scored his 1,000th goal and 26th of the season during a power play in Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. And what other spot would it come from?
He now needs just 17 more total combined goals to surpass Gretzky (1,016).
The Great 8 had already broken Gretzky's all-time regular season record, and he's continuing to pile on as he's now at 923. His 0.59 goals per game average is the second-highest in NHL history. And since turning 35, his 0.53 per game average is the highest of any player of that age or older - ever.
On top of that, Ovi has now also scored a record 447 goals since turning 30.
Washington dropped to 35-27-9 with the loss and now sit five points behind the Detroit Red Wings (84) for a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.