Gretzky's record hinged on an unprecedented run of dominance with the 1980s Edmonton Oilers. He became the first and only NHL player to score more than 90 goals in a season in 1982 and topped 70 goals in each of his next three campaigns.

Five charts how Capitals Alex Ovechkin equaled Wayne Gretzky's career goal scoring title and how both dominated the NHL.

Chicago put goalie Spencer Knight back in the game after that, so Ovechkin came back in and nearly got the hat trick anyway. He got four shot attempts off in the final two minutes and was agonizingly close to the record-breaking goal, but Knight had other plans.