Alex Ovechkin ties Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goals record

Alex Ovechkin Ties Wayne Gretzky’s Legendary NHL Goal Record with 894 Goals

Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin etched his name alongside hockey royalty on Friday night, scoring twice in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks to tie Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL goal-scoring record of 894.

With “The Great One” himself in attendance, Ovechkin entered the game needing three goals to surpass the record and two to match it. The 39-year-old wasted no time, netting his 893rd goal just under four minutes into the first period with a powerful one-timer off a behind-the-net assist from Dylan Strome.

“Oh yeah, everyone’s buzzing right now. Wayne is here, so yeah, it’s a special moment,” Ovechkin told Monumental Sports Network, soaking in the electric atmosphere.

That goal also marked Ovechkin’s 40th of the season, making him the first player in NHL history to record three 40-goal seasons after the age of 35.

Though he came close to tying the record late in the second period, it wasn’t until 6:10 into the third that Ovechkin struck again—this time off a setup from John Carlson—to equal Gretzky’s iconic 894-goal mark.

The game paused as fans at Capital One Arena gave Ovechkin a thunderous standing ovation. He skated over to celebrate with his family, exchanged high fives, and saluted the crowd with a wave and a smile. In a touching moment, he waved to Gretzky and blew him a kiss.

After the final buzzer, the entire Blackhawks team stayed on the ice to congratulate him. Ovechkin then took a victory lap, acknowledging the fans who stayed to witness the milestone.

In a lighthearted postgame press conference, Ovechkin revealed that Gretzky had texted him before the game: “Score three and get it done.”

“This is a special moment,” Ovechkin said, sitting beside Gretzky. “It’s amazing for DC, for our fans, and to do it here at home makes it even better. It’s truly an honor to be in the same category as those legendary names.”

He added that having friends and family in attendance, many of whom had traveled from various cities, made the night even more meaningful.

Gretzky praised Ovechkin for his contributions to the game. “Alex has done so much for Washington, for the NHL, and for inspiring young players in Russia,” he said. “He’s a true champion. I’m proud to be tied with him—even if just for a little while.”

Despite the historic achievement, Ovechkin remained focused on the team’s bigger goal: the playoffs.

“It’s still game-by-game, shift-by-shift,” he said. “We have six games left to get playoff-ready. That’s where our mindset is now.”

In a display of leadership and humility, Ovechkin passed up an opportunity to score an empty-netter that would have broken the record, instead feeding rookie Ryan Leonard, who scored his first NHL goal.

“I had a few chances,” Ovechkin explained. “But I told Coach Carbery, I didn’t want to take it. Everyone asked me, and I said, ‘Let’s wait.’ I’m so happy for Leo. That kid has a bright future.”

Ovechkin’s next chance to break the record will come this Sunday, when the Capitals visit the New York Islanders at UBS Arena. Their next home game is set for April 10 against the Carolina Hurricanes