Alex Ovechkin is nearing Wayne Gretzky’s record for career goals, but his Washington Capitals are also flying toward the playoffs.

After being acquired from Pittsburgh at the deadline, winger hopes to bring grit, speed and energy as newest addition to Eastern Conference-leading Washington’s lineup.

While in the Hall of Fame’s famed Stick Storage Centre, which holds more than 4,000 sticks, the oldest dating to 1875, Ovechkin was fascinated with an old, wooden one with a long flat blade. It belonged to Maurice Richard, who held the NHL goal record with 544 before Howe passed him on Nov. 10, 1963.

At this point, Alex Ovechkin breaking Wayne Gretzky's long-standing goals record is inevitable. Ovechkin is only 11 goals away from reaching the 895 mark and being crowned the greatest scorer in hockey history.

Ovechkin moved to within nine goals of tying Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL record during the Capitals’ overtime win over the Rangers.

With a 2-1 Hurricanes victory over the Red Wings, followed by losses for the Bruins, Flyers, and Blue Jackets, the Rangers have moved into the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, which is determined by the first tiebreaker of regulation wins.