Apr 4, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (right) speaks at a press conference with Wayne Gretzky after the game against the Chicago Blackhawks at Capital One Arena. Ovechkin scored the 893rd and 894th goals of his career, tying Gretzky for most all-time goals in NHL history. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

nhl

Alex Ovechkin Passes Wayne Gretzky with 895th Goal, Becomes NHL’s All-Time Leading Scorer

Alex Ovechkin surpasses Wayne Gretzky with his 895th goal, cementing his legacy as the NHL’s greatest goal scorer in front of a historic audience.

It finally happened. Alex Ovechkin has done what once seemed impossible; he has officially surpassed Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL goal record with his 895th career goal. Ovechkin etched his name in history against the New York Islanders, scoring a power-play goal with 12:34 left in the second period of Sunday’s game. Remarkably, it came in his 1,487th career game, the exact number Gretzky played. With Wayne Gretzky and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman watching from the stands, the arena erupted. The game momentarily paused as players and fans celebrated a milestone that redefined greatness.

ALEX OVECHKIN BREAKS WAYNE GRETZKY’s NHL ALL TIME SCORING RECORD
pic.twitter.com/ok3f0AogZh
— Daily Athlete (@idailyathlete) April 6, 2025

The Islanders came in hungry for a win and wasted no time making an impact. Bo Horvat struck first, capitalizing on a smooth puck cycle in the Capitals’ zone. Moments later, Marc Catcomb doubled the lead, finishing a perfect centering pass from Kyle MacLean. The Islanders had a chance to extend their lead on a power play, but the Capitals’ penalty kill held strong. Meanwhile, Ryan Pulock showed his defensive grit, blocking the first hard shot from Alex Ovechkin in the game. Ovechkin had yet to score against Sorokin in their three previous matchups. Ovechkin looked for his first goal against Ilya Sorokin, who denied him again initially on a deflection off a Rasmus Sandin shot. The Capitals are also missing Aliaksei Protas, sidelined week-to-week with a lower-body injury from Friday’s game.

Ovechkin was still searching for his moment. He had one shot on goal, but two of his attempts were blocked. In the first period, he logged 4:29 of ice time as he tried to find his rhythm for the record-breaking goal. The first period ended with the Islanders leading 2-0. Ovechkin’s line had remained on the bench as the second period began. Alex Ovechkin took his first shift about 2:30 into the period. Ilya Sorokin made a blocker save on his shot. Pierre Engvall was called for tripping, and the fans were chanting ”Ovi” in anticipation. Alex Ovechkin had 324 power-play goals to his name. And now, with goal No. 895, he officially became the NHL’s greatest goal scorer, surpassing the legendary mark set by Wayne Gretzky.

Image Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Alex Ovechkin

NHL

Wayne Gretzky

Anamika Shrivastava

nhl

I’ve always loved writing and storytelling, and hockey gives me a perfect stage for endless stories to tell. Whether it’s breaking down a game, analyzing a big trade, or capturing the emotions on the ice, I bring the NHL to life through words. So what’s the best part you ask? Watching the action unfold and turning it into something fans can connect with. To my readers: Hockey is more than just a game—it’s the highs, the heartbreaks, and the moments that make us jump off our seats. So, keep cheering, keep debating, and never stop loving the madness of the sport!