But Ovechkin left that Nov. 18 game against the Utah Hockey Club with what the team initially described as a lower-body injury. An X-ray revealed a broken left fibula, bringing his pursuit of Gretzky’s record to a screeching halt.

At this point, the record falling looks imminent. But when? Now that's an interesting and possibly infuriating question.

WASHINGTON — Coaching Alex Ovechkin for three seasons has normalized his hot pursuit of Wayne Gretzky's NHL career goals record for Peter Laviolette. “Not a crazy thing at all,” Laviolette said before his New York Rangers faced Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals on Saturday. “I don’t see him slowing down.”

Here's today's NHL Nugget – this Milestone Monday heads to Dec. 30, 1981, when Wayne Gretzky had a night to remember with the Edmonton Oilers. Gretzky scored five goals against the Philadelphia Flyers to reach the 50-goal mark in 39 games, shattering an NHL record in the process.

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.

Ovechkin scored what turned out to be the winner to help the Capitals beat the New York Rangers 7-4 on Saturday. It was his 133rd game-winning goal.