In a thrilling night for hockey fans, Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is inching closer to making history as he scored his 891st career goal during a nail-biting 4-3 victory over the Boston Bruins on April 1, 2025. This remarkable achievement leaves him just three goals shy of tying Wayne Gretzky's long-standing NHL record of 894 goals, and only four away from becoming the league's all-time leading goal-scorer.
Ovechkin’s latest goal came during a power play, marking his 322nd power-play goal, which is already an NHL record. The Capitals were trailing 1-0 when John Carlson passed the puck towards the net, and Dylan Strome redirected it across the crease. Ovechkin, ever the opportunist, pushed the puck into the open half of the net, igniting celebrations among his teammates and fans alike.
“A goal is a goal,” Ovechkin said after the game, downplaying the significance of the milestone. “It was a great play by Stromer and Carly.” Despite his humble demeanor, the excitement surrounding his pursuit of Gretzky’s record is palpable, especially with the Capitals’ final games of the regular season approaching.
Capitals coach Spencer Carbery expressed his enthusiasm about Ovechkin's performance, stating, “It’s getting close. You can feel it. You can definitely feel it.” Ovechkin's recent form has been impressive, scoring 12 goals in his last 18 games after recovering from a broken left leg that sidelined him for six weeks earlier in the season. He currently has 38 goals in 58 games this season, maintaining a scoring rate that suggests he could achieve the milestone in the Capitals’ penultimate game against the New York Islanders on April 15, 2025.
As the Capitals continue their playoff push, Ovechkin's teammates are rallying behind him. Goalie Charlie Lindgren noted, “When that happened, everyone was kind of thinking to themselves whether or not it was going to be possible. But anything’s possible with Alex Ovechkin. We’ve seen that this far. We’ve got eight games to go, and the best thing about it is it doesn’t feel like there’s any pressure at all. And the team’s enjoying it.”
On the other side of the rink, the Bruins are struggling, having lost their ninth consecutive game. This disappointing streak has led to significant changes within the organization, including the firing of their coach. Fans in attendance were treated to a mix of emotions, as many wore Ovechkin jerseys, perhaps hoping to witness a historic moment in person.
In the midst of this rivalry, Ovechkin’s connection with fellow star David Pastrnak of the Bruins adds an intriguing layer to the narrative. The two forwards shared the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy in the 2019-20 season, each netting 48 goals, a rare occurrence that hasn't happened since Sidney Crosby and Steven Stamkos shared the award in 2009-10. Pastrnak, who won the trophy outright in the 2022-23 season with 61 goals, has immense respect for Ovechkin’s talent and consistency.
“I always said I was so much happier to, honestly, win the Rocket Richard with him than alone,” Pastrnak remarked, reflecting on their shared achievement. “It was 10 times better than winning it alone and having him behind me. The only bad thing is you can say you beat him, but I’d rather share it with him. That was special.”
Pastrnak, who ranks fourth in goal-scoring since the 2016-17 season with 383 goals, praised Ovechkin’s ability to adapt his scoring style over the years. “It’s very, very impressive. Obviously, we all know how hard it is to score in this league, and he’s been doing it for over two decades,” he said. “The way he found a way every year—he scores different goals. You obviously see way fewer one-timer goals from him, guys taking it away, and he still found a way. So, it’s impressive. It’s motivational to see him keep scoring all those goals. Definitely a special goal-scorer. He’s going to break it soon.”
As Ovechkin continues his pursuit of greatness, his physicality and presence on the ice remain unmatched. Pastrnak admires not only his scoring prowess but also his physical play. “I always loved his physicality,” Pastrnak noted. “Obviously, he’s a big, heavy guy (6-foot-3, 238 pounds). When the best player like him on your team brings that, that carries a long way for your team. That’s what I admire about him, outside of all his goals.”
With the Capitals’ playoff hopes hanging in the balance, the excitement surrounding Ovechkin’s chase for the record will undoubtedly fuel the team's momentum as they head into the final stretch of the regular season. Fans are on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating the moment when Ovechkin etches his name further into the annals of NHL history.
As the league watches closely, Ovechkin’s journey serves as a reminder of the magic of hockey and the legacies that players can create. The next few games will be crucial not only for Ovechkin but also for the Capitals as they strive for playoff success amidst the backdrop of his impending milestone.
