Alex Ovechkin has made history by surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s long-standing record for the most goals in NHL history, scoring his 895th goal during a game against the New York Islanders. The milestone was reached on April 6, 2025, with Ovechkin beating Islanders’ goaltender Ilya Sorokin on a power play in the second period. Ovechkin, who had received a perfect pass from his longtime teammate Tom Wilson, fired a precise shot past Sorokin, cementing his place as the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer.
The moment was celebrated by a chorus of “Ovi! Ovi!” from the Capitals fans in the stands. Ovechkin, who had just scored his 894th goal to tie the record, took a brief dive onto the ice in celebration, before being mobbed by teammates and receiving congratulations from staff and coaches. The iconic moment also included a ceremony, with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman addressing Ovechkin’s incredible achievement. Bettman acknowledged Gretzky’s legendary status, calling him “The Great One” and remarking on how Ovechkin had broken a record that many thought was unbreakable.
Ovechkin’s accomplishment is particularly impressive given the hurdles he’s faced throughout his career, including missing 16 games in the 2024-2025 season due to a broken leg. Despite these setbacks, Ovechkin has maintained his scoring ability, surpassing 40 goals for the 14th time in his career. This achievement, along with several other milestones, underscores Ovechkin’s consistency and durability. In fact, Ovechkin also holds the NHL records for power-play goals, shots on goal, and most goalies scored against. His achievement of surpassing 700 goals and 700 assists earlier in his career puts him in elite company alongside legends such as Gretzky, Gordie Howe, and Jaromir Jagr.
The chase for the record captured the attention of fans across North America and Russia, with billboards and goal-counters tracking Ovechkin’s progress. The excitement around his pursuit only heightened as Ovechkin’s Washington Capitals defied expectations to remain one of the top teams in the NHL during his record-breaking season. Despite breaking the record, Ovechkin humbly credited his success to his teammates, emphasizing that hockey is a team sport, and expressing his gratitude toward his family and fans.
Wayne Gretzky, who had held the record of 894 goals for 31 years, expressed his congratulations to Ovechkin, noting that while records are made to be broken, he couldn’t imagine anyone surpassing Ovechkin’s impressive goal tally. Despite the passing of the goal-scoring record, Gretzky still holds 55 NHL records, including the untouchable marks of 2,857 total points and 1,963 assists. Furthermore, Gretzky also holds the record for most playoff goals with 122, a title Ovechkin has yet to challenge, having scored 72 playoff goals.
Ovechkin’s achievement signals the closing of a significant chapter in NHL history. His ability to stay competitive and break Gretzky’s record is a testament to his longevity and skill. With one season left on his current contract, which runs through 2026, Ovechkin may eventually return to Russia to play closer to home, but for now, he has firmly established his legacy as one of the greatest to ever play the game.
