With a slap shot heard around the world in the second period against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena, Capitals legend Alexander Ovechkin scored his 895th career goal, passing Wayne Gretzky to become the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer. A standing ovation and a near 10 minute ceremony broke out shortly afterwards the momentous moment.
For decades, Gretzky’s seemingly untouchable record of 894 goals was one sport’s most iconic achievements. But Ovechkin’s consistency, power, and durability over two decades, has now rewritten the history books. Through 20 seasons, Ovechkin became the embodiment of consistency. Racking in achievements such as most 40 goal seasons, most goals in away stadiums, and most game winning goals. His ability to maintain elite production into his late 30s defied the norms of the sport. And now, he has done what was once thought of as impossible, he surpassed the great Wayne Gretzky.
Gretzky’s greatness defined an era, and his records, specifically his 2,857 points, were seen as a benchmark that would last for generations. His achievements, including four Stanley Cups, nine MVPs, and countless scoring titles, made him regarded as the greatest hockey player of all time. So, when Ovechkin began his own chase for the record, the task seemed improbable even for a player as talented as him.
“It’s a team sport, and without my boys, the whole organization, the fans, the coaches, the trainers, I wouldn’t be standing here” Ovechkin said shortly after the record breaking goal. Gretzky, who was in attendance the game prior, to watch Ovechkin tie the all time record, shared a moment with Ovechkin after the game to share his congratulations and salutes
From the moment Ovechkin entered the league in 2005, he changed the way the game was played and viewed. With a combination of physicality and shooting talent, he became one of the NHL’s most electrifying players. Year after year, Ovechkin was often referred to as the NHLs most dominant player. His signature power-play one-timer from the left circle, now referred to as “Ovi’s Office,” became a staple of his dominance.
Ovechkin’s chase of the record faced a major setback early in the season. In a late November game, he suffered a fractured fibula after a shin on shin collision, an injury that sidelined him for five weeks and cast serious doubt on whether he’d have enough games left in the season to catch Gretzky. At 39 years old, few expected a quick or complete return. However Ovechkin defied odds and made a remarkable comeback, returning to the ice ahead of schedule. Not only did he return he resumed scoring at a hot pace, silencing doubts.
Calder Trophy winner, Rocket Richard trophy, Stanley Cup champion, Ovechkin has now completed the final chapter in his legendary career. Ovechkin brought Washington its first Stanley Cup in 2018, elevating a franchise haunted by playoff failures. For years, the Capitals had been defined by unmet expectations, dominant regular seasons that ended in heartbreak. He became the face of the Capitals and a hockey hero to many aspiring athletes and o fans across the U.S. and Russia.
More than just a scorer, Ovechkin embodied loyalty, longevity, and leadership. Over the course of two decades with the Washington Capitals, Ovechkin remained a consistent force during the evolving landscape of the NHL. In an era when many star players changed teams in pursuit of championships or market opportunities, Ovechkin spent his entire career with the Capitals, becoming a defining figure of organizational stability.
Entering the 2024–25 season, many analysts viewed it as Alexander Ovechkin’s final realistic opportunity to surpass Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record. At 39 years old, he was nearing the end of his career, and questions about his durability, declining speed, and the natural effects of aging were frequent. While his goal-scoring ability remained intact, the margin for error had grown smaller with each passing season. A fractured fibula suffered early in the year further created doubts about whether he would be able to return in time in a form to play at a high level to continue the chase. Additionally, the Capitals were entering a period of transition, and some speculated that team performance could impact his scoring opportunities. These factors combined to make the record chase uncertain creating a sense of suspense over what many believed could be his last true run in hockey history.
Alexander Ovechkin’s achievement of surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s long-standing record of 894 goals is a landmark moment in hockey history, cementing his legacy as the greatest goal scorer the NHL has ever seen. Ovechkin, marked by numerous awards, including a Stanley Cup, multiple Rocket Richard Trophies, and an MVP award. Despite doubts surrounding his age and injuries, including a fractured fibula earlier in the season, Ovechkin’s relentless chase continued. Surpassing Gretzky, a player whose dominance was remarkable, solidifies his place not just as a generational talent, but as one of the sport’s all-time greats. With this record, Ovechkin has achieved the final piece of a remarkable career, reshaping the narrative of goal-scoring greatness in the NHL.
