NHL Predictions: Bet Against Ovechkin Breaking Gretzky Goal Record in 2024-25 March 21

Ovechkin had slowed down a bit with four goals in his last 10 games before scoring his 35th goal of the season late in the first period. At this rate, goal No. 895 might not come before the end of the regular season. The NHL odds project Ovechkin to make history before the end of the regular season.

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Another step towards history for Alex Ovechkin! @Capitals | #Gr8Chase https://t.co/2K1WBRJ9ll pic.twitter.com/pnzms77wHX

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) March 20, 2025

Washington now leads Carolina by 12 points in the Metropolitan Division race and is 13 points ahead of both Toronto and Florida in the battle for the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs as the Capitals continue to trend in the right direction in the NHL championship odds.

Let’s check out the BetUS sportsbook odds for Ovechkin to pass Gretzky this season.

3 Predictions for Ovechkin vs Goal-Scoring Record

1. Bet Against Milestone for This Season

Would Gretzky’s record, which has stood since 1999, have been broken already if Ovechkin hadn’t missed 16 games with a lower-body injury?

Since returning to action on Dec. 28, Ovechkin has 20 goals in 35 games as he continues to make NHL news. Only Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers, David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins and Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars have scored more goals during that stretch.

Ovechkin has 888 goals in 1,479 career regular-season games. The NHL betting lines have Ovechkin priced at -190 to score his 895th goal by the end of the season with +140 odds to fall short of that mark.

With only 13 games left in the regular season, we’re betting against him with our NHL predictions.

Pick: Ovechkin to Break Record in 2024-25 Season – NO (+140)

2. Value in Betting Power Play for Record-Break

One of the popular sports betting odds options during Ovechkin’s pursuit of the Great One’s record is how goal No. 895 will be scored.

Ovechkin’s 65 empty-net goals are the most in NHL history. Gretzky is second on that list with 56.

Ovechkin also has a record 321 power-play goals, 47 ahead of his next competitor.

The NHL betting line has Ovechkin priced at +350 to score his 895th career goal into an empty net.

Ovechkin also holds the NHL record with 320 power-play goals, with eight of those coming this season.

Dave Andreychuk’s record of 274 power-play goals was broken by Ovechkin during the 2021-22 season.

There are +150 odds for Ovechkin’s record-setting goal to come on the power play compared to +220 odds for the goal to come at even strength.

Ovechkin has one short-handed goal in his last 17 seasons. Ovechkin has been on the ice when the Capitals are killing off a penalty for a total of 54 seconds in 53 games. Going with Ovechkin at +10000 in the NHL picks for the record-setting goal to come while Washington is short-handed seems like a risky bet, so take the value on a power-play tally.

Pick: Ovechkin Record Goal to Come on Power Play (+150)

3. Which Opponent Will Give Up Record-Breaking Goal?

If Ovechkin is to break the record, it likely will come down to the final week of the regular season. The Capitals finish the season with a stretch of four games in six days.

The stretch starts with a home-and-home against the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 12 and 13. That’s why Columbus offers the lowest odds for Ovechkin to get the record at +350.

The Capitals play at the New York Islanders (+450) on April 15 before wrapping up the season two days later in Pittsburgh. It would be a special moment to set the record against longtime rival Sidney Crosby, so why not make an NHL futures bet on the Penguins (+1000) to be the victim of the milestone goal.

Pick: Against Which Opponent Will Record Goal Come Against – Islanders (+1000)

Odds on Ovechkin Winning Another Stanley Cup Title

With Draisaitl at 49 goals and counting, it is safe to say that Ovechkin won’t be the Rocket Richard Trophy winner as the top goal scorer in the NHL for the 10th time.

“Last year, it took us 82 games to clinch … We’ll take it and move on.”

Alex Ovechkin on Washington becoming the first team to secure its postseason berth.#CapsFlyers pic.twitter.com/D6my41QkiW

— x – Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 21, 2025

However, it is looking good for Ovechkin to lead the Capitals to the Presidents’ Trophy. The Winnipeg Jets are fighting it out for that top spot in the Presidents’ Trophy race. which goes to the team with the best record in the regular season.

Washington is priced at -150 to win the Presidents’ Trophy according to the NHL futures odds. While Presidents’ Trophy winners have struggled to win the Stanley Cup, this is a golden opportunity for Ovechkin to lead the Capitals to their second Stanley Cup championship.

There were 22 teams with shorter odds of winning the Stanley Cup when the season began. The championship odds for Washington have moved from +6500 to +1100 since the start of the season.

Washington (+500) trails only Florida in the odds of representing the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Final. Ironically, the next NHL matchup for Ovechkin and the Capitals is against Florida on Saturday at 5 p.m. ET.

Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.

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