Last night will be remembered as a landmark day for hockey and sports history alike as Russian-born hockey star Alexander Ovechkin broke Wayne Gretzky’s once-untouchable goal-scoring record, amassing an astounding 895 goals.
See the tweet below.
The 39-year-old Washington Capitals captain scored his goal, surpassing Gretzky’s 894-goal mark that many believed would stand forever.
Patriots and sports fans across America witnessed a rare moment of athletic greatness that transcended politics.
Ovechkin, who has built his entire 20-season NHL career with the Washington Capitals, scored the historic goal against the New York Islanders in dramatic fashion.
The record-breaking moment came on a power play from Ovechkin’s signature spot near the left faceoff circle – a position so well-known by fans and opponents alike that it is often called “Ovi’s office.”
Despite opponents knowing exactly where he likes to shoot from, Ovechkin’s shot has proven unstoppable throughout his career, demonstrating how pure talent and mastery can overcome predictability.
What makes Ovechkin’s achievement even more remarkable is that he scored 894 goals in one fewer regular-season game (1,846) than Gretzky and then broke the record in his very next game.
Additionally, Ovechkin overcame a broken fibula earlier this season, showing the kind of toughness and determination that true champions possess.
After missing 16 games due to the injury, he returned to the ice and immediately resumed his record chase, scoring four goals in his first five games back.
As the Alex Ovechkin prepares to surpass Wayne Gretzky’s goals record, the goaltenders unfortunate enough to have surrendered goals to both men weigh in on the Gretzky vs. Ovechkin debate. https://t.co/9idEblmpsW
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) April 6, 2025
The game was paused for a celebration that included Wayne Gretzky himself, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, and Ovechkin’s family.
Gretzky congratulated Ovechkin on the ice in a show of sportsmanship that demonstrates the best traditions of hockey.
The moment represented a passing of the torch from one generation’s greatest goal scorer to the next, with Gretzky acknowledging the significance of what Ovechkin accomplished.
“They say records are made to be broken, but I’m not sure who’s going to get more goals than that,” Gretzky stated.
The celebration attracted fans willing to pay as much as $1,000 per ticket to witness hockey history.
The event was branded “The GR8 Chase” in Washington, where special broadcasts and goal counters had been tracking Ovechkin’s pursuit all season.
In spite of the massive pressure, Ovechkin delivered when it counted most – scoring his 42nd goal of the season to break the record in front of the home crowd that has supported him for two decades.
Beyond his on-ice achievements, Ovechkin has shown tremendous character through his charitable work.
He has partnered with Hockey Fights Cancer and the V Foundation for Cancer Research, donating an amount equal to his career goal total for each goal scored.
This means his record-breaking 895th goal triggered an $895 donation to fight cancer.
Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Capitals, has pledged to match these donations, doubling the impact of Ovechkin’s generosity.
Ovechkin’s career statistics are staggering. Since entering the NHL in 2005, he has scored against 180 different goaltenders, achieved 32 career hat tricks, and surpassed the 40-goal mark in 14 of his 20 NHL seasons.
Moreover, he is the NHL’s all-time leader in power-play and overtime goals. These are not just numbers, as they represent consistent excellence and longevity in one of the world’s most physically demanding sports.
Throughout his career, Ovechkin has credited his family’s support as a driving force behind his success.
This family-first mentality resonates with fans who appreciate seeing successful athletes who remain grounded in traditional values despite their fame and fortune.
After the game, the hockey star expressed what the moment meant for himself and his family and team.
Ovechkin’s historic achievement will likely stand for generations to come, perhaps forever.
In an era where many records fall quickly, Gretzky’s goal-scoring mark stood for 25 years before Ovechkin finally surpassed it.
