NEW YORK (AP) — In a historic moment for hockey, Alex Ovechkin has officially broken Wayne Gretzky’s long-standing record for the most goals in NHL history, scoring his 895th career goal during a game against the New York Islanders on Sunday, April 6, 2025. Ovechkin, the captain of the Washington Capitals, achieved this milestone with a power play goal in the second period, beating fellow Russian goaltender Ilya Sorokin, who had previously been one of the few netminders Ovechkin had never scored against.
The goal not only solidified Ovechkin’s place in the record books, but it also marked a significant moment in sports history, as it came against a fellow countryman. Ovechkin’s shot from the top of the left circle zipped past Sorokin’s short side, making him the 183rd different goaltender he has scored against in his illustrious career.
Ovechkin’s achievement is even more remarkable given that he missed 16 games earlier in the season due to a broken left leg. Despite this setback, he has managed to surpass 40 goals for the 14th time in his career, a feat that only he and Gretzky have accomplished. His consistency and scoring prowess have been a hallmark of his career since he entered the league in the 2005-06 season.
As soon as the puck hit the twine, fans erupted in cheers, and Ovechkin celebrated by sliding on his stomach to center ice. The moment was shared by teammates and opponents alike, as the entire Islanders team came over to congratulate him, recognizing the significance of the occasion. Even Wayne Gretzky himself made an appearance, coming down from his suite to personally congratulate Ovechkin on his record-breaking goal.
“I can tell you firsthand, I know how hard it is to get to 894, so 895 is pretty special,” Gretzky said. “My congratulations to not only Alex, his mom and dad, his family, his wife and kids. ... They say records are made to be broken, but I’m not sure who’s gonna get more goals than that.”
Ovechkin expressed his gratitude during the post-game ceremony, thanking his teammates and the Capitals organization for their support. “What a day, huh? Like I always say, it’s a team sport, the whole organization, the fans, the trainers and coaches, I would never stand there. I would never have passed ‘The Great One.’ Fellas, thank you so much. I love you so much,” he said, acknowledging the contributions of teammates like Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie, who were sidelined due to injury.
In a light-hearted moment, Ovechkin thanked Sorokin for allowing him to score the historic goal, joking, “Thank you to Ilya Sorokin for letting me score 895. I love you, brother.” Sorokin, who had not previously allowed a goal to Ovechkin in their past encounters, handled the situation with grace. After the game, he gifted Ovechkin his stick as a keepsake of the moment, saying, “Respect,” when asked if he expected anything in return.
The game itself concluded with the Islanders defeating the Capitals 4-1, but the focus remained on Ovechkin’s historic accomplishment. Marc Gatcomb of the Islanders had a standout performance, scoring his first career multi-goal game, yet even he acknowledged the overshadowing significance of Ovechkin’s record.
“It was definitely cool to be a part of history and get to witness that,” said Casey Cizikas, who took the penalty that led to Ovechkin’s record-breaking goal. “They’re two of the greatest of all time. There’s been a lot of battles. There’s been heartbreaks and there’s been triumphs. But they’ve accomplished so much in their careers.”
Patrick Roy, the head coach of the Islanders, also weighed in on the moment, emphasizing its importance for the sport of hockey. After embracing Ovechkin post-game, he joked that Ovechkin could take the night off now that he had made history.
The atmosphere in the arena was electric, with fans from both teams recognizing the magnitude of Ovechkin’s achievement. As he moves forward, the question remains: how many more goals can Ovechkin score? With 900 goals within reach, the prospect of him hitting the 1,000-goal milestone looms large, a feat that seemed unimaginable just a few years ago.
Ovechkin’s journey to this record has been marked by determination, skill, and an unwavering passion for the game. As he continues to lace up his skates and step onto the ice, fans and players alike will be watching to see how high he can climb in the record books. For now, Ovechkin stands alone at the top, a testament to his incredible career and the legacy he leaves behind.
