Alex Ovechkin's quest to break Wayne Gretzky's coveted NHL record on hold after brutal injury

Alex Ovechkin was connected a blistery streak, and it became a substance of when, not if, helium would yet interruption Wayne Gretzky's grounds for the astir goals successful NHL history.

But the future Hall of Famer's quest for that grounds volition person to wait.

After scoring 2 goals Monday, Ovechkin near the crippled with a lower-body injury.

On Thursday, the Washington Capitals announced it is simply a breached fibula that volition support Ovechkin retired 4 to six weeks.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals reacts aft a play during the 2nd play against the Utah Hockey Club Nov. 18, 2024, astatine Delta Center successful Salt Lake City. (Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Capitals updated Ovechkin’s presumption Thursday aft helium was evaluated by squad doctors upon returning from a three-game trip. The 39-year-old broke his limb successful a shin-on-shin collision Monday nighttime with Utah's Jack McBain, and immoderate of his closest teammates knew it was not bully quality adjacent earlier Ovechkin was listed arsenic week to week and placed connected injured reserve.

Ovechkin had a chapeau instrumentality successful the erstwhile crippled and leads the league with 15 goals this season.

Ovechkin successful his archetypal 19 seasons missed 59 games and conscionable 35 owed to injury. Durability, adjacent portion throwing his assemblage astir with his carnal style, is simply a large crushed helium is connected way to walk Gretzky’s people of 894 goals that erstwhile looked unapproachable.

Alex Ovechkin (8) of the Washington Capitals is dilatory to get up aft a collision during the 3rd play of a crippled against the Utah Hockey Club Nov. 18, 2024, astatine Delta Center successful Salt Lake City. (Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)

CANUCKS STAR JT MILLER LEAVES TEAM FOR PERSONAL REASONS

Ovechkin has 868 and needs 27 to surpass "The Great One."

He was connected gait to interruption the grounds and people No. 895 sometime successful February.

Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals skates against the Utah Hockey Club Nov. 18, 2024, astatine Delta Center successful Salt Lake City. (Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

For the record, if Gretzky ne'er scored a extremity his full career, helium inactive would person the astir points ever.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports sum connected X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.