The Great Eight has chased down The Great One. On Sunday afternoon at UBS Arena against the New York Islanders, Alex Ovechkin scored his 895th career goal, passing Wayne Gretzky for the most goals scored in NHL history.
“What a day, huh?” Ovechkin said at center ice just moments after making history. “Like I’ve always said, all the time, it’s a team sport. Without my boys, the whole organization, the fans, the trainers, coaches, I would’ve never passed the Great One. So, fellas thank you very much, I love you so much.”
With Gretzky in attendance and 12:34 remaining in the second period, Ovechkin sniped a wrister from above the left circle past Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin on a power play following a Pierre Engvall tripping penalty. The Capitals bench erupted in jubilant celebrations, pausing the game to acknowledge the historic moment. The Islanders bench also cleared to congratulate Ovechkin, while the UBS Arena scoreboard played a video tribute to his illustrious career.
On March 29, 1999, Gretzky scored goal No. 894 as a member of the New York Rangers against the Islanders. Almost 26 years later to the day, Ovechkin set a new mark against the same team. “I can tell you first-hand how hard it is to get No. 894,” Gretzky said. “895 is pretty special…they say records are meant to be broken but I’m not sure who is going to get more goals than that.”
The 39-year-old Ovechkin tied Gretzky in one fewer game, 1486-1487, showcasing his remarkable consistency in an era filled with elite goaltenders. The evolution of goaltending has been significant, with Patrick Roy, the head coach of the New York Islanders, playing a pivotal role in that development.
Ovechkin, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 entry draft by the Washington Capitals, has been a cornerstone of the franchise since making his debut in 2005. Over his career, he has recorded 1,619 points, 895 goals, and 724 assists, placing him 11th in NHL history for total points.
Despite a setback earlier in the season when he tore his left fibula on November 18, 2024, which sidelined him until December 28, Ovechkin’s return has been nothing short of spectacular. Had he not been injured, he might have broken this record earlier, creating even more distance between himself and Gretzky.
Ovechkin’s impact on the game is undeniable, and he is now part of the same pantheon as Gretzky, a testament to his legendary status in hockey. In addition to this monumental achievement, the Capitals are in strong contention for the Stanley Cup, currently sitting atop the Metropolitan Division with 107 points.
Ovechkin has made a living and a legendary career from the left circle and dot on either side of the ice, burying one-timers with precision. His accolades are numerous, including:
- 2005-2006 Calder Trophy winner
- 2006-2006 All-Rookie Team
- 2007-2008 Art Ross Trophy winner
- 3x Hart Memorial Trophy winner
- 3x Ted Lindsay Award winner
- 9x Maurice Richard Trophy winner
- 2017-2018 Conn Smythe Trophy winner
- 2017-2018 NHL’s 100 Greatest Players
While this goal record is a once-in-a-lifetime achievement, Islanders fans might have to look away when this highlight is played. They’ll forever be etched in history with their rival and a player who has broken their hearts in various ways over the last 20 years. “Ilya Sorokin, thank you for letting me score 895,” Ovechkin said to the Islanders goalie. “I love you brother.”
In the game itself, despite Ovechkin's historic moment, the Islanders emerged victorious with a 4-1 win, preventing the Capitals from clinching the Metropolitan Division title. However, the focus remained on Ovechkin’s achievement, which is likely to resonate throughout the sport for years to come.
Post-game, Ovechkin reflected on the significance of the milestone. “I'm probably going to need a couple more days, a couple more weeks to realize what it means to be No. 1,” he told reporters. “But I'm proud for myself, I'm proud for my family and for all my teammates that helped me reach that milestone and for all my coaches. It's huge.” He expressed relief at finally answering the question of when he would break the record, stating, “The ice was bad today so I fell. I’m pretty sure it’s a pretty cool moment.”
As the game concluded, Ovechkin was named the first star and took a celebratory lap around the ice, soaking in the cheers from fans acknowledging his historic achievement. His teammates donned red 895 T-shirts, celebrating in style with a beer shower for their captain.
Ovechkin finished the game with the record goal and five shots in 16:10 of ice time. His accomplishment was not only a personal triumph but a significant moment for hockey as a whole, drawing congratulations from star athletes across various sports, including LeBron James and Roger Federer.
The historic context surrounding Ovechkin's goal adds to its significance. He scored on Ilya Sorokin, marking the first time he had ever scored on the fellow Russian goalie, making Sorokin the 183rd different NHL goalie to fall victim to Ovechkin’s scoring prowess.
As the Capitals look ahead, they remain focused on clinching the Metropolitan Division title, but for now, all eyes are on Ovechkin, who has solidified his legacy as one of the greatest scorers in the history of the NHL. His journey continues, and the excitement surrounding his career only grows.
