Alex Ovechkin, the star forward for the Washington Capitals, is inching ever closer to making history as he scored the 887th goal of his illustrious career on March 15, 2025. With this milestone, Ovechkin now stands just eight goals shy of breaking Wayne Gretzky's long-standing NHL record of 894 goals.
Ovechkin's latest goal came during the Capitals' convincing 5-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks. He deflected a shot from teammate Martin Fehervary past Sharks goaltender Georgi Romanov with 9:06 remaining in the third period, showcasing the impeccable timing and skill he has honed over nearly two decades of elite play.
Despite suffering through injury earlier this season—a fractured left fibula from a shin-on-shin collision caused him to miss 16 games—Ovechkin has been relentless. He rejoined the active roster shortly after recovering and continues to show remarkable tenacity, having netted 34 goals this season. Remarkably, Ovechkin has become the first player to score against 182 different goaltenders, breaking Jaromir Jagr's previous record with his latest achievement.
Washington's head coach, Spencer Carbery, spoke on Ovechkin's performance, noting, "For him to get the goal, hopefully that's a good boost for him. You could feel he was gripping it a little bit. Power play, he's been struggling. He hasn't been getting as many quality looks with his line." His sentiment highlights the pressure Ovechkin has been under as he approaches this monumental milestone.
With this recent goal at the SAP Center, Ovechkin brought excitement not only to his team but also to the fans who eagerly filled the arena. Chants of "Ovie! Ovie!" reverberated throughout the venue each time he touched the puck, underscoring the anticipation surrounding his pursuit of greatness. "It's great. Lots of people are now watching and lots of attention," Ovechkin said, acknowledging the buzz around his scoring chase.
Analyzing Ovechkin's career, he remains one of only six players to achieve both 700 goals and 700 assists, joining the ranks of hockey legends such as Gretzky, Gordie Howe, and Jagr. Ovechkin's accomplishments extend beyond just his goal-scoring prowess; he holds the NHL record for power-play goals with 321 and shots on goal with 6,810.
Yet, the foremost goal remains Gretzky’s record, which has stood since March 23, 1994, when Gretzky scored his 802nd goal. Gretzky, who retired with 894 goals, remains revered not just for his scoring ability but also for his near untouchable records, including 2,857 total points and 1,963 assists.
Capitals fans are used to Ovechkin's late-game bursts, as he has racked up the most third-period goals this season at 18. After returning from injury, he has been on fire, scoring eight times across his last 11 games. Ovechkin is on pace to surpass Gretzky's tally within the remaining 15 games of the 2024-2025 season, should he stay healthy.
Interestingly, if Ovechkin manages to break Gretzky's record, he could do so with fewer games played than the hockey legend, having participated in 1,477 games compared to Gretzky's 1,487. This adds intrigue to the comparison of their careers and heightens the excitement surrounding each of Ovechkin's goals.
The Capitals are not just rallying behind Ovechkin's chase for history; they are also positioning themselves for playoff contention. With their current record sitting at 44-15-8, they are tied with Winnipeg at the top of the NHL standings. The team will continue their push for the Presidents' Trophy as they prepare for upcoming home games against the Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers this week.
Washington’s desire to capture its fourth Presidents' Trophy is palpable, as Ovechkin’s record-breaking quest can serve as both inspiration and motivation for the entire squad. With his experience and leadership, Ovechkin continues to be the driving force for the Capitals, not just as they aim for team success but also as he chases individual immortality.
Ovechkin's scoring prowess and determination promise to keep fans on the edge of their seats as he pushes toward what would be one of the most revered achievements in NHL history. It's clear he is not just playing for numbers; he is playing to etch his name alongside the greatest to ever play the game.