In a thrilling moment during Sunday’s game, Alex Ovechkin scored his 895th goal, solidifying his place in NHL history as the new all-time scoring leader, surpassing the legendary Wayne Gretzky. This milestone marks a significant achievement for the Washington Capitals star, who had been chasing Gretzky's long-standing record for over 30 years. Ovechkin's goal came from the top of the left faceoff circle, executed with a powerful shot that has become his trademark on the power play.
Immediately following the historic goal, Ovechkin celebrated in style, sliding to the ice belly-first and shouting with joy. Teammates rushed to join him in a jubilant mob as the crowd, even at an away game against the New York Islanders, erupted in cheers and chanted his name. The game was paused for more than ten minutes to honor Ovechkin's remarkable achievement. Both benches emptied as players from both the Capitals and the Islanders lined up to shake Ovechkin’s hand in a show of respect.
Adding to the moment, Gretzky himself joined Ovechkin on the ice along with Ovechkin’s family and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman for a mid-game ceremony. Gretzky acknowledged the significance of the moment, stating, “I could tell you firsthand I know how hard it is to get to 894. 895 is pretty special.” He humorously remarked on the difficulty of breaking records, saying, “They say records are made to be broken, but I'm not sure who's going to get more goals than that.”
Ovechkin's pursuit of Gretzky's record has been a central narrative throughout the current NHL season. Just last Friday, he had tied the record at home in Washington, scoring two goals. This remarkable run led to a surge in ticket prices for Sunday’s game, with some fans paying upwards of $1,000 to witness history firsthand. Ovechkin, at 39 years old, is the second-oldest forward in the NHL this season, which marks his 20th year in the league.
Remarkably, he continues to score at an impressive rate, averaging almost two goals every three games, reminiscent of his performance as a 20-year-old rookie. His durability and consistent scoring have allowed him to maintain a competitive edge, ranking him among the top goal scorers in the league. This season, Ovechkin has scored 42 goals, placing him third overall in the league despite having suffered a broken leg in November, an injury that sidelined him for 16 games—the longest injury hiatus of his career. Notably, the other five top-scoring players this season are all in their 20s, highlighting Ovechkin’s exceptional longevity in the sport.
