Alex Ovechkin: The New King of NHL Goal Scoring
NEW YORK — In a moment that will be etched in the annals of hockey history, Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin has done the unthinkable. On a Sunday that will be remembered by fans and players alike, Ovechkin scored his 895th goal, surpassing the legendary Wayne Gretzky to become the NHL’s all-time goal-scoring leader.
The historic goal came against the New York Islanders with a power-play goal, 12:34 left in the second period of the game. This was the 1,487th game of Ovechkin’s career, matching the total number of games Gretzky played in his illustrious career. The atmosphere was electric, with Gretzky himself and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman in attendance. The game paused as players and fans alike celebrated this monumental achievement.
Just two days prior, Ovechkin had tied Gretzky’s record with two goals in a 5-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. In a show of sportsmanship and respect for the game, he chose not to take the ice after the Blackhawks pulled their goalie late in the third period, stating, “I don’t want an empty net” when setting the record.
Ovechkin’s journey to this record has been nothing short of extraordinary. Over his 20-year career, all with the Washington Capitals, he has been a force to be reckoned with. He has won the Rocket Richard Trophy nine times as the NHL’s regular-season goal-scoring leader, the Hart Trophy three times as NHL MVP (2008, ’09, ’13), and the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP when he led the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup championship in 2018.
His achievements don’t stop there. Ovechkin is the NHL’s all-time leader in power-play goals with 325 and overtime goals. He recently surpassed Jaromir Jagr for the most game-winning goals, tallying his 136th on Friday. His prowess on the power play is legendary, with more than 210 of his power-play goals coming from the “Ovi Spot” near the left faceoff circle.
Wayne Gretzky, who captured the goals record on March 23, 1994, as a member of the Los Angeles Kings, retired in 1999 with 894 goals in 1,487 NHL regular-season games. At the time, few believed this record would ever be broken, but Ovechkin has proven them wrong.
Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom, who has assisted on more Ovechkin goals than any other teammate, said, “I always said that if there’s any guy who could do it, it’s him. Sometimes, it just seems like the puck finds him, and he’s got that ability to put it in the net like no one else.”
Ovechkin’s journey began when the Capitals won the 2004 NHL draft lottery, selecting him first overall. The Moscow native won the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year in 2005-06 with 52 goals, revitalizing the franchise with his buoyant personality. By the end of his 10th NHL season, Ovechkin had amassed 475 goals in 760 games.
Gretzky himself acknowledged Ovechkin’s potential in 2016, stating, “The first 500 are the easy ones. It’s the next 500, when you’re getting a little bit older and your body is a little bit worn down — the travel and physical part of the game catches up to you.”
Entering this season, Ovechkin needed 42 goals to pass Gretzky. He started strong, scoring 15 goals in his first 18 games, an unprecedented feat for a 39-year-old in the NHL. Despite breaking his left fibula on Nov. 18, Ovechkin, known as the “Russian Machine” for his stamina and good health, returned ahead of schedule on Dec. 28, scoring a goal after missing 16 games.
The chase for the record, dubbed “The GR8 Chase” by the NHL, captivated the hockey world. Game broadcasts featured alternate feeds focusing solely on Ovechkin, and goal counters were installed in Washington, D.C.’s Capital One Arena and Union Market District. Gretzky, Bettman, Capitals owner Ted Leonsis, and Ovechkin’s wife Nastya followed the team from arena to arena.
Ovechkin also used his record pursuit to raise funds for pediatric cancer research, donating an amount equal to his goal total for every goal he scores during the remainder of his career and encouraging fans to contribute on a per-goal basis as well.
- Ovechkin’s 895th goal sets a new NHL record.
- He surpassed Wayne Gretzky’s 894 goals.
- Ovechkin is the NHL’s all-time leader in power-play goals.
- He has won the Rocket Richard Trophy nine times.
- Ovechkin has been with the Washington Capitals for 20 years.
Originally Written by: Greg Wyshynski
