Will Alex Ovechkin break Wayne Gretzky’s goal-scoring record? The Sharks weigh in

SAN JOSE – Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin just passed Brett Hull to become the fourth-leading scorer in NHL history.

There’s little doubt in Sharks captain Logan Couture’s mind that Ovechkin can get to No. 1.

Ovechkin, as of Saturday morning, had 742 career NHL goals and needed 153 more to pass Wayne Gretzky and become the league’s all-time leader in that category.

He’s not slowing down, either. Ovechkin, 36, had 12 goals in his first 17 games before Saturday and has more goals (184) than anyone else in the NHL over the last five seasons.

In that time, Ovechkin has been on a .627 goal-per-game pace. He signed a five-year, $47.5 million contract extension in July, and if he can stay healthy and average roughly a goal every two games, he’ll pass Gretzky’s total of 894 sometime near the end of the 2024-25 season or the start of the 2025-26 season.

“I’ve watched a few of (the Capitals’) games when the goalie’s pulled, and he’s always out there looking for the empty netters,” Couture said with a smile. “So, he’s going to score enough, I think.

“If he stays healthy and, knock on wood for the game of hockey that he does, I hope he does break it — just not against us.”

“I’d love to see that happen,” Sharks coach Bob Boughner said Saturday morning. “I think it would be great for the game, but hopefully, he won’t add to any of those totals tonight.”

Ovechkin has 12 goals and eight assists in 22 career games against the Sharks although he was held without a point in his last game at SAP Center on Dec. 3, 2019, a 5-2 Capitals win.

Just ahead of Ovechkin on the NHL’s all-time goal-scoring list are Gordie Howe (801) and Jaromir Jagr (764), Ovechkin, now in his 17th NHL season, passed Hull’s total of 741 on Nov. 12, scoring once and adding an assist in Washington’s 4-3 win over Columbus.

“We saw (Joe Thornton) and Patty (Marleau) play very well into their late 30s and even into their 40s,” Couture said. “Players are still able to do that and contribute. The elite of the elite are still able to do what they do in this game.”

Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro agreed with Couture that Ovechkin will break Gretzky’s record, which was established over 20 seasons.

“You look at his numbers, and he doesn’t seem to be slowing down,” Ferraro said. “So obviously he works on the skills that he has every summer. You would think that he’s scored enough goals from the half-wall while they’re on the power play, but he’s still popping them in.

“I do think he will. I wish him good luck.”

LABANC’S SUSPENSION: Boughner said he had two ways of looking at the one-game suspension the NHL gave to forward Kevin Labanc on Friday for slew-footing St. Louis Blues center Tyler Bozak in the first period of Thursday’s game.

Labane was given a tripping penalty on the ice, and Boughner thought it was an awful penalty to take 200 feet from the Sharks’ net. San Jose was then put on its heels and fell behind 1-0 on the ensuing Blues power play.

Boughner, though, also felt there was no malicious intent on Labanc’s part.

“I understand what Kevin was trying to do,” Boughner said. “It’s a 50-50 battle. He was trying to get leverage and their skates clicked. When they clicked, Kevin lost his balance and came backward and his whole momentum took (Bozak) down. So, it looked a lot worse than it was there. There was no intent on the play.

“Kevin’s not that kind of player. He would never try to hurt anybody.”

BARRACUDA RECALLS: With Labanc out Saturday, the Sharks recalled forwards Noah Gregor and Jeffrey Viel from the Barracuda. Gregor will start Saturday’s game on the Sharks’ second line with Tomas Hertl and Alexander Barabanov, and Viel will be a healthy scratch.

Gregor, 23, had 12 points in eight games for the Barracuda this season. He has 11 points in 58 career NHL games, all with the Sharks, but did not make the team out of training camp.

The Sharks, in a corresponding move, placed forward Lane Pederson on injured reserve. Pederson hasn’t played since he was hurt Nov. 11 in Winnipeg.