Alex Ovechkin scored an empty-net goal in his first game back from a broken leg, and the Washington Capitals beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 on Saturday.

Playing in his first game since fracturing his left fibula on November 18, Ovechkin resumed his pursuit of the career goals record by scoring for the 869th time in his career, 25 behind Wayne Gretzky’s all-time mark.

The Washington captain’s chase for a record that was previously thought to be unattainable has become the story of the season so far in the NHL.

“I’m sure you guys are excited. We’re excited when he’s walking out to the ice,” Capitals forward Tom Wilson told reporters after the game.

“People are climbing on top of each other to get videos of him. He’s taking the hockey world on a crazy ride right now, and it’s rockstar stuff.”

Washington got their third win in the last four games despite falling down 1-0 a little over three minutes in.

Wilson, Nic Dowd, Jakob Chychrun and Andrew Mangiapane also scored for the Capitals (24-9-2), who moved to within one point of the top record in the Eastern Conference.

gn pic.twitter.com/SxryHRHG3H

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 29, 2024

Kraken rally in 3rd, top Canucks in OT

Vince Dunn’s second goal was an overtime game-winner, and the Seattle Kraken completed their comeback from a three-goal deficit to beat the Vancouver Canucks 5-4.

Seattle trailed 4-1 in the third period before scoring three goals in the final five minutes of regulation – all at even strength – to force the extra session.

Jaden Schwartz tallied two during the third-period rally, while Dunn scored the other. Matty Beniers scored the Kraken’s first goal of the game.

Brock Boeser scored a pair of goals for the Canucks, who were forced to settle for just one point.

Hurricanes score four in 3rd to top Devils

The Carolina Hurricanes exploded for four goals in the third period to beat the New Jersey Devils 5-2 in a matchup of top Metropolitan Division foes.

Carolina had 28 shots through two periods but only one goal to show for it before pulling away in the final frame.

After entering the third period tied 1-1, the Devils took the lead on an Ondrej Palat goal, but Sebastian Aho equalised just 51 seconds later for the Hurricanes.

Jackson Blake’s power play tally gave Carolina the lead, then Jack Roslovic doubled it less than two minutes later.

Roslovic added an empty-netter for his 16th goal of the season.