Alex Ovechkin, the Washington Capitals icon, made history as the first player in NHL history to reach 900 goals, surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record last season. He scored his 900th goal during the second period of the Capitals’ game against the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday. Known for his versatile scoring ability, Ovechkin’s 900th goal was particularly memorable—a spin-o-rama backhand following a rebound off the boards, beating goalie Jordan Binnington, who amusingly attempted to sneak the puck into his pants as a keepsake before a linesman made him return it.
Since being the top pick in the 2004 NHL Draft, Ovechkin has consistently excelled, hitting the 40-goal mark 14 times and surpassing 50 goals nine times. He has won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy nine times, the most in NHL history. By the start of the 2025-26 season, he stands at 897 goals and, despite a slower start this year, has already claimed another milestone with his 900th goal. With 70 games remaining in the season and playing on a contract that’s set to expire, Ovechkin hasn’t confirmed if he’ll retire soon, leaving fans to wonder how many more goals he can score.
At 40, Ovechkin maintains an impressive physical condition, famously fueling himself with hearty Italian meals and unconventional drinks like Pepsi and Dr. Pepper during games. Despite a broken fibula last season, he continued to score 44 goals, breaking Gretzky’s record. He’s never scored fewer than 32 goals in any season, making it reasonable to expect similar output this year, pushing his total to around 929 goals by season’s end. Should he continue into next seasons, especially with a promising Capitals team and new coach, Ovechkin might reach beyond 950 goals. Although 1,000 goals seems unlikely, his career longevity, resilience, and scoring consistency make this milestone not entirely out of reach.
Ovechkin’s proficiency on the power play could extend his career into his early 40s, having scored between 13 and 25 power play goals in 18 out of 19 full NHL seasons. While opponents have long tried to stop his signature one-timer, his dominance remains a key asset. If healthy and motivated, Ovechkin could keep redefining the record books and inspire future hockey generations.
Fan Take: Ovechkin’s milestone is a testament to extraordinary talent and dedication, showing that age is no barrier to greatness in hockey. His pursuit of records and potential quest for a Stanley Cup title keeps fans hooked and elevates the excitement around NHL’s evolving history.
