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Alex Ovechkin passes Wayne Gretzky, sets NHL all-time goals record

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•04/06/25•

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Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin
© Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

Heading into the 2024-25 NHL season, Alex Ovechkin had history in his sights. He was in striking distance of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals scored record, and the question became not just if, but when he’d pass “The Great One.”

Sunday, the Washington Capitals star did just that. Ovechkin scored in the second period against the New York Islanders to record his 895th career goal, surpassing Gretzky’s record which once seemed unbreakable. 895 came on the powerplay from Ovechkin’s office at the top of the face-off circle.

Recognizing the magnitude of the moment, the game came to a halt for the NHL to properly recognize Ovechkin as the league’s all-time goal scorer. Joining Ovechkin at center ice — his family, Gretzky and his wife Janet and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

Ovechkin tied Gretzky’s mark with a two-goal performance against the Chicago Blackhawks at Capital One Arena on Friday. He scored once in the first period, then found the back of the net once again in the third period, giving him 894 career goals to match Gretzky. However, he was unable to score the rest of the way, meaning the next game was Sunday against the Islanders.

Ovechkin entered this season with 853 career goals, putting him 42 shy of Gretzky’s all-time record. Throughout his 20-year career with the Capitals, he’s averaging nearly 45 goals per season, which put him on pace to sit alone atop the record books.

As Ovechkin closed in, Gretzky supported him the whole way. It was the same approach he and his family took when he passed the great Gordie Howe for the all-time record.

“That’s okay,” Gretzky said of having company atop the all-time goals scored list. “That’s what my dad told Gordie Howe way back when. This is what’s the game’s all about. Alex has been great for the game and great for Washington, great for his own country. It’s wonderful.

“I’m very proud of him. I’m proud of what I accomplished, and you know what? That’s what makes our game so wonderful is the great athletes that we have and more importantly, the good people that they are.”

Alex Ovechkin passes ‘The Great One’ Wayne Gretzky

Gretzky is “The Great One” for a reason. He not only held the all-time goal record, but also has the most points in NHL history with 2,857. That’s over 900 more than Jaromir Jagr, who sits in second place with 1,921.

As Ovechkin chased that goal mark, he reflected on his relationship with Gretzky, who followed every game until the record-breaking goal. They’ve built a bond, which makes it extra special he was able to join the Capitals along the ride.

“He’s great. He’s great for hockey,” Ovechkin said, via NHL.com‘s Tom Gulitti. “We have a relationship. He told me he supports [me] and I’m pretty sure he’s going to join team and he’s going to follow us.”

Ovechkin’s record-breaking goal had to wait longer than some thought, though. He suffered a fractured fibula in November and missed 16 games as a result. If that hadn’t happened, teammate Trevor van Riemsdyk said Gretzky’s record would have fallen a long time ago.

“If he hadn’t got hurt, he’d probably be right up there to have the most this year,” van Riemsdyk said.