The goal was the Russian ice hockey star's 891st in his NHL career. The Canadian legend Wayne Gretzky stayed at 894.
It's getting close, says Washington's coach Spencer Carbery to NHL's website after the match.
You can feel it in the air, definitely. If he had scored a goal when they pulled the goalie too... yes, it's really getting close.
Even Boston supporters cheered when Ovetjkin scored 2–0 for Washington in a power play in the first period. And it was close to being another direct hit in the 4–3 win, when Boston pulled the goalie at the end. But the shot went wide.
Despite this, and despite missing 16 matches at the end of last year due to an injury, Ovetjkin has scored 38 goals this season – most in the team.
It's incredible, people don't really understand how amazing this journey has been. I think about when he was injured, then most people wondered if it would be possible (to break the record) this season. But everything is possible with "Alex" Ovetjkin, says Washington's goalie Charlie Lindgren.
Eight matches remain of the regular season, next away against Carolina on Thursday night.
But the main person himself tries not to think about that record at all.
One match at a time, one shift at a time, says Alexander Ovetjkin.
