“Russian machine can’t be stopped”: Capitals fans pumped up as Alex Ovechkin inches closer to Wayne Gretzy’s NHL record with yet another goal 

The Washington Capitals took down their division rival New York Rangers at Capital One Arena on Saturday with a 7-4 triumph in front of their home fans.

The victory improved the Capitals to 26-10-3, while the Rangers fell to 17-20-1.

And once again, Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin continued his pursuit of history. He scored the 872nd goal of his Hall of Fame career, inching ever closer to Wayne Gretzky's all-time mark of 894 goals.

And thrilled Capitals fans expressed their excitement on social media as the future Hall of Famer inched closer to achieving NHL history.

"The Russian Machine CAN'T BE STOPPED!!!" wrote @hockeybarn_.

"Ovi right back on fire after being injured. Absolutely sensational!" exclaimed @TAFKACharle.

"With a broken leg, man this dude is nuts," opined @AnthonyLoIacon0.

"To a casual theyre going to think the goalie lifted his leg on purpose. But 9/10 the guy is elevating off the backhand and this was the 1/10 it skid along the ice," added @sportsgirl306.

"Can Ovechkin get it this season? The man is on a mission," added @nsdedication.

"WHAT A RUN!! May do it this year despite the injury. WOW" exclaimed @Panthersfan2025.

The Capitals have rebounded from what was an inconsistent 2023-24 NHL season last campaign that saw them just barely qualify for the postseason.

And instead of following the projections of most pundits, they've instead put on a masterclass of a season and are in prime position to claim the Metropolitan Division title.

Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is now just 23 goals away from Wayne Gretzky's all-time record

With his goal on Saturday, Alex Ovechkin has now scored 19 goals in 23 games played this season and has also scored in four of his last five games since he returned to the lineup after suffering a broken fibula in November.

And Ovechkin has Gretzky's full blessing when it comes to breaking his record.

“Alex has been exceptional for our game,” Gretzky said on CNBC’s "Squawk Box" in November. “I hope I’m the first guy to shake his hand when he does break the record.”

“I never played and thought about the records themselves," Gretzky continued. "I was lucky enough to play on some great teams and in some great cities. I always tell people it was an honor and a privilege to play in the National Hockey League."

Given Alex Ovechkin's current goal-scoring pace, he'd break Gretzky's record at some point this season.