Alex Ovechkin scored the fifth goal in a 7-4 win to get No. 872 and move 23 back of breaking Gretzky’s record of 894 that long seemed unapproachable.

At this point, the record falling looks imminent. But when? Now that's an interesting and possibly infuriating question.

Ovechkin’s goal, for the record, was his 60th empty netter, the most in NHL history. More importantly, it brought him to within 25 goals -- of any kind -- of matching Gretzky’s mark of 894, a chase the entire hockey world will be watching for the remainder of the season.