WASHINGTON — In a significant milestone, Alex Ovechkin has netted his 888th career goal, reducing the gap between him and Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record to just seven goals. Ovechkin scored the momentous goal during the Washington Capitals’ home game against the Philadelphia Flyers on March 20, 2025, with just 5:35 left in the first period, eliciting an electrifying response from enthusiastic fans who chanted “Ovi! Ovi!” as the goal counter flipped to 888.
The Capitals' iconic winger, now 39 years old, has enjoyed a spectacular season, tallying 35 goals so far, placing him fourth in the league standings. Ovechkin’s remarkable pursuit of Gretzky’s legendary mark of 894 goals—which has stood since he retired in 1999—has captivated the hockey world. As he continues to play at a high level, the possibility of surpassing Gretzky’s long-held record may not only be a thrilling accomplishment for Ovechkin but could also happen in the very near future with 13 games remaining in the regular season.
Despite facing challenges earlier in the season, including a significant injury that sidelined him for 16 games due to a fracture in his left fibula, Ovechkin remains undeterred. This is the 15th occasion in his career that he has scored 35 goals in a season—an achievement that breaks his tie with Hockey Hall of Famer Mike Gartner as the player achieving this milestone the most times in NHL history.
Ovechkin's goal against the Flyers was assisted by Aliaksei Protas, who skillfully slid the puck across the net for the easy tap-in against Flyers goalie Samuel Ersson. Flyers captain Sean Couturier shared his thoughts on Ovechkin’s remarkable chase, stating, “It’s definitely special. I’m sure when we’re done playing we can say we played against the greatest goal-scorer of all time. You just don’t want to be on the ice when he scores.”
Fans and players alike have expressed their admiration for Ovechkin’s ability, highlighting the spectacle that accompanies each of his games as he inches closer to setting a new benchmark. With the right momentum, some experts suggest Ovechkin might not only match but potentially even exceed Gretzky’s record faster than he did in his career, having accomplished the feat during his 1,479th game as opposed to Gretzky’s 1,487.
It’s worth noting that five out of Washington’s remaining 13 games will be against teams with weak defensive records, ranking among the bottom six in goals allowed. Additionally, Ovechkin is set for two matches against the Carolina Hurricanes, a team he has historically tormented, scoring 51 goals against them throughout his career.
As Ovechkin approaches this monumental milestone, the NHL is gearing up for the potential excitement and the emotional weight of the moment. According to Colin Campbell, the NHL's senior executive vice president for hockey operations, there is an underlying concern about how the league will ensure that the creation of a historic moment proceeds smoothly, especially in light of the increased rate of video reviews this season.
As pointed out by Campbell, “We’ve got to treat it like any other goal, any other situation. Nothing special. Just do your job and be ready. I know after the end there’ll be a lot of noise. It’s hard to protect yourself against passion.”
The anticipation surrounding Ovechkin's chase has reached fever pitch, especially since fans and league officials are aware that any record-breaking goal could easily become a source of controversy if subjected to an intensive video review.
Historical comparisons evoke interest, as Campbell recalls a tense moment when Nathan MacKinnon saw his apparent 1,000th career point removed due to an offside review. The memory underscores why officials must carefully monitor each situation, particularly as Ovechkin stands just one goal away from potentially breaking Gretzky’s record.
Amid the excitement, goalies from various NHL teams have reflected on the pressure of being the goaltender on the ice for Ovechkin’s record-breaking goal. Petr Mrázek and Arvid Söderblom of the Chicago Blackhawks joked about the chance that Ovechkin might break the record during their scheduled matchup on April 4. While they recognized the slim odds—around 5 percent according to current projections—they acknowledged that the high stakes and the chance to be part of a momentous event would carry its own thrill.
As Ovechkin struts toward this historic milestone, future opponents are bracing themselves for the challenge, each hoping to either prevent him from adding to his tally or, if they fall to him, to navigate their moment in history with a professionalism that honors the achievement, whether in victory or defeat.
All eyes will undoubtedly be on Ovechkin as he embarks on the last stretch of the 2025 NHL season, seeking to etch his name alongside one of the sport's most hallowed records that Cromie’s, Gretzky’s legacy in the sports world—the journey continues.
