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.

Alex Ovechkin is closing in on Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goal record. Ovechkin has scored 872 goals in 1,451 games. He is just 23 goals away from breaking Gretzky's tally of 894 goals in 1,487 games.

At the time of his retirement in 1999, Wayne Gretzky owned or shared 61 NHL records, including the mark for the most career goals. "The Great One" finished his unparalleled 20-year career with an ...

The Canucks raised the bar last season by winning the Pacific Division and coming a game away from the Western Conference Final. As much as the Canucks have been able to hang onto a playoff spot with a league-leading ten overtime/shootout losses, the expectations are higher than that now.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pierre-Luc Dubois scored his second goal of the game late in overtime, Logan Thompson made 30 saves and the Washington Capitals beat the Vancouver ... from breaking Wayne Gretzky's NHL career record. Takeaways Canucks: Playing still ...

WASHINGTON -- Pierre-Luc Dubois scored his second goal of the game with 41 seconds remaining in overtime, lifting the Washington Capitals past the Vancouver Canucks 2-1 at Capital One Arena on Wednesday.

Bruce Boudreau always saw greatness in “The Great 8”.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pierre-Luc Dubois scored his second goal of the game late in overtime, Logan Thompson made 30 saves and the Washington Capitals beat the Vancouver Canucks 2-1 on Wednesday ...

Ovechkin comes to Edmonton currently tied for 15th in goals this season, with 21 in 30 games played, including seven in 12 games since returning from a broken leg that held him out for 40 days. He is truly a man on a mission.

The Capitals as a team lead the NHL with an impressive 31-10-5 record, having earned a point in 10 straight games (7-0-3). Washington will be seeking revenge against the Oilers for taking both games in the season series by a 12-2 goal margin. The two sides wrap up their season series on Feb. 23 in Washington.

Edmonton will be without McDavid, its captain and seven-time All-Star, who was suspended for three games for crosschecking Canucks forward Conor Garland late in the game Saturday. The Oilers fell behind 3-0 against the Canucks and their rally came up short. It was the third straight game Edmonton fell behind by two or more goals.

Edmonton Oilers forward Corey Perry criticized how the NHL handled Connor McDavid, saying the league doesn’t protect its superstars enough.