"One of the greatest" "Truly a legend": NHL fans react as 'unstoppable' Alex Ovechkin creeps closer to Wayne Gretzky's scoring record after injury

Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin is closing in on Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record. Ovechkin has 869 goals and needs 26 more to pass Gretzky's career tally of 894.

Ovechkin looked set to establish a new record this season but broke his left fibula on a shin-on-shin collision against the Utah Hockey Club on Nov. 18, leading to a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

He returned to the ice on Saturday and scored an empty net goal in the Capitals’ win against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ovechkin is playing in his 20th NHL season and has one more year left on his contract.

Hockey fans are frantically counting down Ovechkin’s chase, one goal at a time. They were happy to see him return and X was flooded with support for the star forward.

"Will go down as one of the greatest," a user tweeted.

"Alex Ovechkin is truly a legend," a fan said.

The hockey world is awaiting the moment Ovechkin will break the 25-year record. Gretzky passed Gordie Howe's tally of 802 in 1992 and retired in 1999.

"OvechKING will get it done this year!" a fan wrote.

"He might do it this year!!!!!! Insanity!!!!!!" another fan said.

"I care more about Ovechkin breaking Gretzky's record than I do about my Canucks right now," one fan commented.

Others pointed out how glad they were to see Ovechkin back from his injury.

"It’s good to see Ovi back," a fan said.

"He is simply amazing!" one fan wrote.

"The Great 8 never ceases to amaze us!" another fan said.

Ovechkin said that he is taking the record hunt "game by game." Gretzky is also rooting for him.

The 16-game absence was the longest consecutive layoff of Ovechkin's career. Before his latest injury, he had missed only 59 games since entering the NHL in 2005-06. Saturday’s goal was his 60th career empty net goal, the most in NHL history.

Ovechkin's empty-netter helps Capitals overcome Toronto Maple Leafs

The Washington Capitals maintained their winning form with a 5-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. Andrew Mangiapane and Jakob Chychrun each scored and had an assist while Nic Dowd and Tom Wilson also found the net before Ovechkin’s empty-netter. The Capitals have won three out of their last four games.

John Tavares and Bobby McMann scored for the Maple Leafs, who have won only one of their last four outings. They are missing their captain Auston Matthews, who has sat out the last four games due to an upper-body injury. Toronto has allowed at least five goals in each of those four games.