The playoffs are six games away, but the Capitals first want to make sure Ovechkin gets the record all to himself.

Ovechkin's second goal of the game, which also moved him into sole possession of the most game-winning goals ever, put him into a tie with Gretzky at 894 career goals. When the Blackhawks pulled goalie Spencer Knight late in the third period, Ovechkin elected to remain on the bench.

Alex Ovechkin skated over to his son Sergei at the glass. He bowed to Wayne Gretzky standing in a suite. He blew kisses to his wife, mother and family on the other side of the arena.