Alex Ovechkin scored his 886th career goal on Sunday night, March 9, 2025, continuing his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky's illustrious NHL record of 894 goals. The goal, which came from center ice with 1:29 left on the clock, sealed the Washington Capitals' 4-2 victory over the Seattle Kraken, extending their winning streak to four games.
Ovechkin's goal was not only historic but showcased his relentless scoring ability. "He’s still getting a couple of looks here and there, but he’s finding ways to score," said linemate Dylan Strome. "It’s what he’s done his whole career and especially this year. He’s getting to the right areas." The Capitals star became the first player to score his league-leading eighth empty-net goal of the season and the 65th of his career, stretching his lead as the all-time leader for empty-net goals.
Fans erupted with chants of "Ovi! Ovi!" as the goal counter at Capital One Arena flipped from 885 to 886, signaling not just another notch on Ovechkin's storied career but the approach of historic milestones. With this goal, Ovechkin reached his 1,600th career point, becoming the 11th player to achieve this feat and the second active player after Sidney Crosby.
Head coach Spencer Carbery complimented Ovechkin’s unique abilities, stating, "What I’ve learned with ‘O’ is you never underestimate — or even when he’s off a little bit ... it just takes one moment. We win a hockey game and he’s got another goal, another one down. You just can never underestimate what he’s capable of doing.” Ovechkin's relentless pursuit of goals continues to energize the team and the fans alike.
Ovechkin, now aged 39, has maintained his scoring prowess even after overcoming challenges this season, including suffering from a broken fibula which caused him to miss five weeks of play. Before his injury, he had been on fire with 15 goals in 18 games. His recent performances post-recovery have seen him scoring four goals within his first five games back, proving his resilience and ability to keep pace with younger players.
Against the Kraken, his empty-net goal pushed him just nine goals away from surpassing Gretzky’s record. Kraken coach Dan Bylsma commented on the significance of Ovechkin's chase, noting, "We all thought it was an unreachable mark at some point ... Ovechkin has been scoring 50 goals for quite some time now, he shows no signs of stopping." Clearly, as each game progresses, the spotlight shines brighter on Ovechkin's incredible chase to rewrite history.
For the 2024-25 season, Ovechkin's performance has been riveting: with 33 goals to his credit, seven coming within the last eight games, and 11 scored within his last 14 games. Each of these goals brings him one step closer to breaking Gretzky’s record, once deemed unassailable. The excitement surrounding this chase is palpable, transforming every Capitals game night to one filled with anticipation.
Looking forward, the Capitals have 18 games left this season, including their next match on March 11 against the Anaheim Ducks, starting yet another three-game West Coast swing. With Ovechkin’s recent scoring rate, many speculate he could pass the all-time record sooner rather than later. For Capitals fans, each game is not just about points and standings, but witnessing what could be one of the most significant accomplishments and changing of the guard moments in hockey history.
Whether or not Ovechkin surpasses Gretzky's goal tally, his record-breaking pursuit serves as a narrative of inspiration for many. He has performed by consistently adding to his legacy since he was drafted as the first overall pick by the Washington Capitals back in 2004. Since then, Ovechkin has transcended the sport with three Hart Trophies awarded to him as league MVP, lifting the Stanley Cup, and breaking numerous scoring records along the way.
With each historic goal, Ovechkin not only cements his name among the sport's greats but also resonates with hockey fans worldwide who rally behind The Great Eight and his quest to become The Great One.
Alex Ovechkin, with his unwavering drive, is poised for greatness as he chases not only his goals but the very essence of competition and legacy within hockey itself.