Introduction to Greatness
Shortly after Wayne Gretzky became the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer in 1994, his father mentioned how someone, someday, would break his record. Gretzky enjoyed holding the record for more than 30 years – and then that someone appeared, and that someday arrived. It was Alex Ovechkin on April 6, 2025. The date will forever be etched in history as the day the Washington Capitals star scored his 895th career goal to break Gretzky’s record and become the top goal scorer in league history.
The Record-Breaking Moment
The 39-year-old Ovechkin netted the record-breaking goal Sunday during the Capitals’ game against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on Long Island. He scored on the power play with 12:34 remaining in the second period, firing a pass from longtime teammate Tom Wilson past Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin to send the thousands of Capitals fans among the 17,000-plus in attendance into a raucous celebration.
A sight we’ve seen 894 times before this and each and every single time has been in a Capitals sweater. Thank you, O!!!!!!!!
Career Milestones
Ovechkin reached 895 goals in his 1,487th game — the same number of games Gretzky played in his NHL 20-year career. After scoring the goal, Ovechkin celebrated by sliding towards center ice on his stomach before he was mobbed by teammates. The game was paused for a ceremony that marked the completion of what has been dubbed “The GR8 Chase.” Gretzky, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and Ovechkin’s family joined Ovechkin on the ice.
The Great One’s Reaction
"They say records are made to be broken,” Gretzky said during the ceremony, “but I’m not sure who’s going to get more goals than that.” Records sure are made to be broken, but greatness is rarely expected to be matched. And yet, “The Great One” himself is now second greatest on the league’s most hallowed statistical list.
Ovechkin’s Journey to the Top
Ovechkin’s climb to the top required longevity, consistency and availability – all of which he has provided since being selected first overall in the 2004 draft. In his NHL debut on Oct. 5, 2005, he scored the first two goals of what would be a 52-goal season, the third-most ever scored by an NHL rookie. Ovechkin, during his third season, scored a career best 65 goals. He has recorded nine 50-plus goal seasons, matching the record shared by Gretzky and Islanders legend Mike Bossy.
Alex Ovechkin Milestone Goals
Here are some of Ovechkin’s notable milestone goals:
- First — Oct. 5, 2005
- 100th — Oct. 12, 2007
- 200th — Feb. 5, 2009
- 300th — April 5, 2011
- 400th — Dec. 20, 2013
- 500th — Jan. 10, 2016
- 600th — March 12, 2018
- 700th — Feb. 22, 2020
- 800th — Dec. 13, 2022
- 894th — April 4, 2025
- 895th — April 6, 2025
Accolades and Legacy
Ovechkin won nine Rocket Richard Trophies for most goals scored in a season, three Hart Trophies as most valuable player, and the 2017 Stanley Cup, which was the first in Capitals franchise history. With each goal along the way, he inched closer to greatness. Gretzky had held the goals record since 1994 when he tallied his 802nd goal on March 23, 1994 to pass Detroit Red Wings legend Gordie Howe.
Conclusion
Ovechkin in December 2022 became just the third player in league history to reach 800 career goals, joining Gretzky and Howe. He began his 20th NHL season in October needing 42 goals to top a record once believed to be unbreakable. Ovechkin will now look to become the first NHL player to score 900 career goals, a club he will remain the sole member of for quite some time, if not permanently. Until – of course – someone, someday comes along.
FAQs
- Who broke Wayne Gretzky’s NHL all-time goals record?
- Alex Ovechkin broke Wayne Gretzky’s record on April 6, 2025.
- How many goals did Ovechkin score to break the record?
- Ovechkin scored his 895th career goal to break Gretzky’s record.
- In how many games did Ovechkin achieve this record?
- Ovechkin reached 895 goals in his 1,487th game.
- What is Ovechkin’s next goal target?
- Ovechkin aims to become the first NHL player to score 900 career goals.
