Ovechkin has 21 goals in 29 games, including six in 11 games since returning from a broken leg that held him out for 40 days. He's scoring at a pace of .72 goals per game and 2.49 goals per 60 minutes, the most in the league of any skater.

The 39-year-old winger took a pass from Rasmus Sandin on a 2-on-1 breakaway and fired it past rookie Leevi Merilainen, the record 179th goaltender he's scored on.

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is 21 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time scoring record