Alexander Ovechkin has surpassed the all-time NHL goals record previously held by Wayne Gretzky. Ovechkin, the longtime captain of the Washington Capitals, scored his 895th career goal in a 4-1 road loss to the New York Islanders on Sunday.
The power play goal, set up by linemate Tom Wilson, came at 12:34 of the second period. From the top of the left faceoff circle, Ovechkin fired a wrist shot past Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin at UBS Arena for his 42nd goal of 2024-25.
When Gretzky retired in 1999 with 894 goals, the mark was thought to be untouchable. Playing for the New York Rangers, “The Great One” tallied his last goal on 29 March, 1999, also against the Islanders.
Sunday’s game was paused to acknowledge the 39-year-old Russian left wing’s milestone in an on-ice ceremony including Gretzky – who remains the NHL’s all-time leader in assists (1,963) and points (2,857) – and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.
Ovechkin is a nine-time winner of the Rocket Richard Trophy as the league’s leading goal-scorer. The three-time NHL MVP and 2018 Stanley Cup champion shares the record for most 50-goal seasons (nine) with Gretzky and the late Islanders star Mike Bossy.
Ovechkin previously won three IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship gold medals, two silver medals, and four bronze medals. He has also participated in three Olympics. He has 35 goals in 83 Worlds games and eight goals in 17 Olympic games.
The power play goal, set up by linemate Tom Wilson, came at 12:34 of the second period. From the top of the left faceoff circle, Ovechkin fired a wrist shot past Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin at UBS Arena for his 42nd goal of 2024-25.
When Gretzky retired in 1999 with 894 goals, the mark was thought to be untouchable. Playing for the New York Rangers, “The Great One” tallied his last goal on 29 March, 1999, also against the Islanders.
Sunday’s game was paused to acknowledge the 39-year-old Russian left wing’s milestone in an on-ice ceremony including Gretzky – who remains the NHL’s all-time leader in assists (1,963) and points (2,857) – and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.
Ovechkin is a nine-time winner of the Rocket Richard Trophy as the league’s leading goal-scorer. The three-time NHL MVP and 2018 Stanley Cup champion shares the record for most 50-goal seasons (nine) with Gretzky and the late Islanders star Mike Bossy.
Ovechkin previously won three IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship gold medals, two silver medals, and four bronze medals. He has also participated in three Olympics. He has 35 goals in 83 Worlds games and eight goals in 17 Olympic games.