Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin scored his 894th career goal on Friday night, tying Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record. The milestone marked a historic moment in the NHL, with Gretzky attending the game and praising Ovechkin’s achievement.
Gretzky first played against the Washington Capitals during his rookie season in 1979 and witnessed Ovechkin’s rapid ascent to the top of the scoring charts. When Ovechkin scored his 893rd goal on his second shift, Gretzky was present, and the crowd erupted in cheers. Ovechkin went on to score his 894th goal in the third period, tying Gretzky’s record.
The two hockey legends spoke after the game, with Gretzky expressing pride in Ovechkin’s achievement and the integrity of the sport. Gretzky will follow Ovechkin as he attempts to break the record, which is unlikely to happen anytime soon given Ovechkin’s recent scoring streak.
Gretzky has been avoiding controversy in his public appearances since his support for Donald Trump sparked backlash in Canada. However, he was warmly received by Capitals fans, who gave him a standing ovation during a television timeout in the first period. The hockey legend praised the game, saying it’s “great for hockey” and that he’s happy for Ovechkin and the league.
Ovechkin, 40th on his season with 40 goals, has been breaking records for years, including scoring four consecutive games. When asked about Gretzky’s record, Ovechkin joked that when he breaks it, he’ll say “Why’d you do it?” The two players shared a moment of mutual respect and admiration for the sport, cementing their place in hockey history.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6256447/2025/04/04/wayne-gretzky-alex-ovechkin-record-chase