Alex Ovechkin is now the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer, breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record with his 894th goal. The milestone came on Friday night in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks, where Ovechkin scored three goals, including two more after he initially fell short of the record.
Ovechkin began the game with 892 goals, just three away from breaking Gretzky’s record, which stood at 894 goals. However, he was unable to score on his first attempt and finished the night with 894 goals.
The Capitals’ next game is scheduled for Sunday against the New York Islanders, making it a near-certainty that Ovechkin will break the record in front of fans who love him most. Despite being inches away from the mark earlier, what Ovechkin gave to the people in attendance was more than enough, with longtime teammate Tom Wilson saying “Everybody here saw it” and describing the atmosphere as “theater and style.”
Ovechkin’s goal-scoring streak has been remarkable, with him scoring in each of his last three games. His season pace is 54 goals, despite a broken leg earlier this year.
The Capitals’ Dylan Strome realized that Ovechkin scores in bunches and said “We were kind of saying before the game if he gets one in the first, then look out because he seems to score in bunches.” This was evident throughout the game, with Ovechkin scoring just 3 minutes and 52 seconds into the game.
Ovechkin’s milestone goal marked a special moment for him, both personally and professionally. He paid tribute to his brother Sergei and the man whose company he’ll soon leave, Wayne Gretzky. The two legends answered questions about the moment and its meaning at an open-air theater after the game, with Ovechkin describing it as “a huge opportunity” and saying he was “still a little shaking and still can’t believe it.”
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6256831/2025/04/05/ovechkin-record-gretzky-goals