5 NHL players that have made the 2019-20 season memorable

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 12: Leon Draisaitl #29 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates after Darnell Nurse (not pcitured) scored a goal against the Arizona Coyotes during the third period of the NHL game at Gila River Arena on January 12, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Oilers defeated the Coyotes 4-2. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – FEBRUARY 22: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals poses for a photo with the puck scored for his 700th NHL goal against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on February 22, 2020 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI – Pool/Getty Images) /

3. Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit of The Great One

Wayne Gretzky is the most storied player in NHL history. Alex Ovechkin is the greatest scorer of this generation. These are not controversial statements.

However, prior to this season you’d be lying if you said the thought ever crossed your mind that Ovechkin would be eyeing Wayne Gretzky‘s goal scoring record. But here we are in 2020, with 188 goals separating the two.

Gretzky’s 894 goals is a mark once thought unattainable. He sits 93 clear of “Mr. Hockey” Gordie Howe, and the next five players are all retired as well. Until this season, it seemed unlikely that any active player actually stood as a legit threat to Gretzky’s scoring crown.

However, Ovechkin has rattled off a season that is turning heads. After a slow start to his age 34 season, Ovechkin has managed to pot 48 goals in 68 games and break the 700 goal barrier — a mark attained by only eight players in NHL history.

Along the way, he’s passed legends like Luc Robitaille, Teemu Selanne, Mario Lemieux, Steve Yzerman and Mark Messier. With those greats now in his rear-view, it’s not unreasonable to think Ovi could pass Jaromir Jagr and his 766 goals for third all-time within the next season or so.

But is it farfetched to think he can catch The Great One? Not according to the man himself. In an interview with Sportsnet’s Gene Principe, Gretzky said Ovechkin has a “real legitimate chance” at passing him. It’s hard to argue with that.

Say Ovechkin plays two more seasons at a 50-goal pace, he would need three more years at a 30-goal pace to pass Gretzky. This would have Ovechkin playing until just shy of his 40th birthday. A tall task, but Ovechkin has shown no signs of slowing down and after a 33-goal season in 2016-17, he has responded with three-straight seasons of 48-plus.

Regardless of whether or not Ovechkin can pull it off, watching him climb the record books and break the 700 goal mark has been captivating. Long considered the best goal-scorer of his generation, Ovechkin may now be the greatest scorer of all time.

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