Ovechkin Stands Alone in NHL History, Surpassing Gretzky with Goal 895 [WATCH]

Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin became the National Hockey League’s all-time leading goal scorer on Sunday afternoon, surpassing Wayne Gretzky with his 895th career goal in a game against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena.

The record-breaking goal came during a second-period powerplay.

Ovechkin received the puck and sent a shot past Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin.

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The horn sounded and the crowd erupted as Ovechkin celebrated by diving across the ice.

At the time of the goal, New York held a 2–1 lead.

ALEX OVECHKIN IS THE GREATEST GOALSCORER IN NHL HISTORY! #Gr8ness pic.twitter.com/NKef3VvNaJ

— NHL (@NHL) April 6, 2025

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Ovechkin tied Gretzky’s long-standing record of 894 goals just two days earlier, when he scored twice against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Although he had a chance to claim the record with a third goal in that game, Ovechkin chose not to pursue the milestone with an empty-net opportunity, saying he would wait to score the record-breaker during regular play.

On Sunday, that decision paid off. With goal number 895, Ovechkin now stands alone as the highest-scoring player in NHL history.

“Alex Ovechkin has been an unstoppable force from the moment he entered the NHL in 2005 – a unique package of effervescent personality, dynamic physicality and other-worldly talent for shooting the puck,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman in a statement.

“His passion for winning is matched only by his incredible ability to score goals. And today, he stands alone. Having completed his relentless pursuit of a record most thought unbreakable, Alex makes hockey history – succeeding Wayne Gretzky, who had eclipsed Gordie Howe, who had surpassed Maurice Richard – as the National Hockey League’s all-time goals leader. The NHL salutes Alex Ovechkin for this astounding achievement.”

Wayne Gretzky, who had held the record since 1994, also released a statement following the historic goal.

“It was my honor to hold the National Hockey League goals record for the last three decades,” Gretzky said.

“I now am delighted to pass that honor to a man who truly was born to put the puck in the net and who has played our game with remarkable passion and power. I forever will be grateful for the way my idol, Gordie Howe, congratulated me upon breaking his record in 1994. And I am thrilled that I could be in attendance to share this moment with you, Alex, as you now are the leading goal-scorer in NHL history.”

Ovechkin has spent his entire NHL career with the Washington Capitals, who selected him first overall in the 2004 NHL Draft.

He scored his first goal on October 5, 2005, against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sunday’s goal came in his 1,487th career game.

The 38-year-old forward has been a central figure in the Capitals’ success over the past two decades, including the team’s 2018 Stanley Cup championship.

Known for his signature one-timer from the left faceoff circle, Ovechkin’s consistent scoring ability and durability have kept him at the top of the NHL’s offensive leaders year after year.

Ovechkin’s pursuit of the all-time goals record had been one of the league’s most followed storylines in recent seasons.

With goal number 895 now secured, the Capitals star has cemented his place in hockey history.

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