All hockey eyes were on Long Island this afternoon as Alexander Ovechkin chased history, attempting to move ahead of Wayne Gretzky and stand alone as the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer. The atmosphere was electric at UBS Arena during the highly anticipated matchup between the Washington Capitals and the New York Islanders, which began at 12:30 PM and was televised nationally on TNT.
For the Islanders, this game was crucial as they needed a victory against the NHL's top team to keep their playoff hopes alive. They trailed the Montreal Canadiens by seven points with only seven games remaining in the Eastern Conference playoff race. “We’re going to focus on us,” said head coach Patrick Roy. “I know it’s going to be hard, but that’s what we have to do. It’s an important game for our team.”
The Islanders were coming off a much-needed win, snapping a six-game winless streak with a 3-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild on April 4. Key players in that game included Casey Cizikas, Simon Holmstrom, and Noah Dobson, who each contributed to the scoring effort, while Ilya Sorokin made 27 saves to secure the win. Meanwhile, the Capitals also enjoyed success in their last outing, defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 5-3, with Ovechkin scoring twice to tie Gretzky’s all-time NHL goals record at 894.
As the game progressed, the excitement reached a boiling point when Ovechkin scored his 895th career goal during the second period, taking sole possession of the NHL record. The historic goal came at approximately 1:47 PM EST on the Capitals’ first power play opportunity of the contest, marking Ovechkin’s 42nd goal of the 2024-25 season. The goal was assisted by Tom Wilson and Dylan Strome, adding to Ovechkin's legendary status.
Despite the historic moment for Ovechkin, the Islanders were determined to spoil the party. They started strong, with Bo Horvat and Marc Gatcomb scoring two early goals just 1:54 apart to give New York a 2-0 lead. After Ovechkin made history, Gatcomb struck again, scoring his second goal of the game exactly three minutes later, making it 3-1. Jean-Gabriel Pageau added a fourth goal for the Islanders in the third period, which required a review to confirm it had fully crossed the goal line.
Throughout the game, Ilya Sorokin played an outstanding role for the Islanders, stopping 27 shots and denying Ovechkin multiple times. Charlie Lindgren, the Capitals' goaltender, faced 22 shots but could not keep his team in the game as the Islanders took control. The Capitals, who could have reached 50 wins for the sixth time in team history with a victory today, were unable to find their rhythm against the Islanders’ strong defensive play.
The game was paused for an in-game ceremony to honor Ovechkin’s record-breaking achievement, attended by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Wayne Gretzky himself. During the ceremony, Ovechkin expressed his gratitude to the Capitals organization, his teammates, and his family, including his wife Nastya and his late father Mikhail. Video tributes featuring former and current teammates, as well as sports legends like Derek Jeter and LeBron James, were shown to the crowd.
As the final buzzer sounded, the Islanders celebrated their 4-1 victory, effectively overshadowing Ovechkin’s milestone with a performance that showcased their determination and grit. The Islanders' victory not only helped them maintain their playoff hopes but also served as a reminder that in sports, the game is never over until the final whistle.
Next up for the Islanders is a trip to Nashville on Tuesday night, April 8, 2025, as they continue to fight for a playoff spot. Meanwhile, the Capitals will regroup and prepare for their next matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes on April 10, 2025, as they look to bounce back from this disappointing loss.
In conclusion, while April 6, 2025, will be remembered as the day Ovechkin became the NHL's all-time leading scorer, it was also a day that highlighted the fierce competitiveness of the Islanders, who refused to be mere spectators in this historic moment.
