Alex Ovechkin made history on Sunday by scoring his 895th career NHL goal, surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s long-standing record for the most goals scored in NHL history. The Washington Capitals captain achieved this milestone during a power play against the New York Islanders, beating Russian goalie Ilya Sorokin for the first time, marking Sorokin as the 183rd different goalie Ovechkin has scored against. His goal brought the Islanders’ lead to 2-1 in the second period.
The game was momentarily paused as teammates celebrated Ovechkin’s record-breaking feat by playfully mobbing the 39-year-old veteran. UBS Arena honored Ovechkin with a tribute video, and the NHL’s new all-time leading scorer shared the ice with Gretzky. Nicknamed “The Great 8,” Ovechkin has already netted 42 goals this season, despite missing 16 games due to an injury, marking his 14th season scoring over 40 goals—surpassing Gretzky’s record for the most 40-goal seasons in NHL history.
Before this milestone, Ovechkin held several NHL records, including power-play goals, shots on goal, and the number of goalies scored against, with Sorokin recently added to that list. Although Gretzky still leads with more multi-goal games, Ovechkin joined a rare group this season as the sixth player to reach 700 goals and 700 assists. Gretzky, known as “The Great One,” ended his 20-year career in 1999 with 894 goals, but he still holds the record for most NHL points (2,857) and assists (1,963). Gretzky was present when Ovechkin tied his record at a Capitals’ home game against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Ovechkin was the first overall draft pick in 2004 and has spent his entire NHL career with the Capitals. He is a 12-time All-Star and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Stanley Cup Playoff MVP when Washington claimed their first championship in 2018. While Gretzky holds the NHL playoff goal record (122), Ovechkin has 72 playoff goals. Gretzky also scored 56 goals in the World Hockey Association regular season and playoffs, while Ovechkin has 57 goals in Russia’s KHL.
Ovechkin has the option to return to Russia to play in front of family and friends once his contract, signed in 2021 for five years at $47.5 million, expires in one year. However, he achieved this historic record faster than many expected.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Fan Take: Ovechkin’s record-breaking goal is a monumental moment for hockey fans worldwide, symbolizing the rise of a true legend who has redefined excellence on the ice. This achievement not only cements his legacy but also inspires the next generation, promising a bright future for the sport of hockey.
