In a thrilling encounter on Sunday, March 30, 2025, Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin took another significant step towards NHL history, scoring his 890th career goal against the Buffalo Sabres. However, despite Ovechkin's milestone, the Capitals fell short, losing the game 8-5, marking their third consecutive defeat as the postseason approaches.
Ovechkin's goal came midway through the third period, when he deftly deflected a shot from defenseman Rasmus Sandin past Sabres goalie James Reimer, reducing Buffalo's lead to 6-4 at 9:11. This goal not only added to his impressive tally this season, bringing it to 37, but also left him just five goals shy of surpassing Wayne Gretzky's all-time record of 894 goals.
The Capitals, who entered the game leading the Eastern Conference with 102 points, were looking to break a two-game losing streak in their first home game in over a week. Despite the setback, Ovechkin remains focused on the bigger picture. “Right now,” Ovechkin said post-game, “we lost three in a row. It's a good thing it happens right now and not in the playoffs, but we just have to bounce back and find a way to win the games.”
Head coach Spencer Carbery echoed Ovechkin's sentiments, acknowledging the team's current struggles. “We got what we deserved tonight,” Carbery stated. “That's not who we are.” The Capitals have nine regular-season games left to solidify their playoff positioning, and Ovechkin’s pursuit of Gretzky’s record adds an intriguing subplot to the final stretch of the season.
Buffalo's head coach Lindy Ruff had expressed his awareness of Ovechkin's prowess prior to the game, jokingly stating, “I wouldn’t count him out.” Throughout his career, Ovechkin has consistently tormented the Sabres, scoring 41 goals in 66 games against them, with 68 total points (41 goals and 27 assists). However, he did not find the net in their previous matchup earlier this season, adding a sense of anticipation to this game.
Ovechkin's ability to score goals has been a hallmark of his career, but even he has never scored five goals in a single game, let alone six. Such a feat has only been accomplished eight times in NHL history, with the last occurrence dating back to February 7, 1976, when Daryl Sittler scored six against the Boston Bruins. Nevertheless, with ten games remaining in the 2024-25 campaign, Ovechkin remains determined to reach this milestone.
As the game progressed, the Capitals found themselves in a challenging position. The Sabres, who have struggled defensively this season, giving up the fifth-most goals in the league (255), took advantage of the Capitals' defensive lapses. Alex Tuch and Tage Thompson each scored two goals, contributing to Buffalo's offensive onslaught and ensuring their victory.
Despite the loss, Ovechkin's performance has been nothing short of remarkable this season. He is on track to reach the 40-goal mark for the 14th time in his career, a record in itself, even after missing 16 games due to a broken left fibula. Washington forward Aliaksei Protas reflected on Ovechkin's chase for greatness, saying, “Again, it's an insane number. I don't think I'd ever get that, even in NHL 25 (the video game)... he's chasing something special.”
Looking ahead, Ovechkin will continue his pursuit of Gretzky's record when the Capitals face the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. The Capitals will need to regroup quickly, as they aim to snap their losing streak and secure their position in the playoffs. With the stakes high and Ovechkin's legacy on the line, fans can expect an exhilarating finish to the regular season.
