Ovechkin Equals Gretzky's Legendary NHL Goals Record

Alex Ovechkin has matched Wayne Gretzky’s legendary NHL goals record by netting his 894th career goal. This milestone ignited an electric celebration on the ice, accompanied by roaring cheers of “Ovi! Ovi!” from the crowd, with “The Great One” himself, Gretzky, in attendance.

Ovechkin’s historic goal came during a power play 13:46 into the game on Friday night, causing the game to pause as fans gave a standing ovation to the enduring Washington Capitals captain. Overcome with emotion, Ovechkin circled the center ice inviting the crowd to cheer louder, then returned to the bench, blowing kisses towards his family seated in a suite. During the next game stoppage, a montage of Ovechkin’s journey to 894 goals played on arena screens.

The Capitals secured a 5-3 victory, setting the stage for Ovechkin to potentially break the record on Sunday when the team takes on the New York Islanders. With Gretzky witnessing the pursuit in person for the first time, Ovechkin delivered excitement by quickly scoring his 893rd goal less than four minutes into the match. He skillfully received a pass from Dylan Strome behind the net and banked the puck off the far post and into the net off goaltender Spencer Knight.

As Ovechkin’s personal goal anthem, “Shake, Rattle & Roll” by Big Joe Turner, rang out in the stadium, mascot Slapshot flipped the score counter from 892 to 893. Prior to becoming equals on hockey’s all-time goals list, Gretzky reflected on Ovechkin’s chase earlier in the event. “I’m so proud to be here tonight,” Gretzky remarked during the first intermission. “I spoke with the commissioner recently, and Alex told me not to come until he got two. I thought yesterday, ‘We better catch a flight because he might hit three tonight.’ When he scored four minutes in, I thought, ‘We could leave by the first period’s end.’“

Continuing his scoring streak to a fourth consecutive game, Ovechkin achieved 40 goals for the 14th time in his 20-season career—the most in league history and a feat previously only accomplished by Gordie Howe, who scored 44 at age 40 during the 1968-69 season. What’s more, Ovechkin’s goal marked his 242nd in the first period, surpassing Gretzky’s league record.

“It’s incredibly difficult,” commented Gretzky, who had 12 seasons with 40 goals. “No matter the era—whether it be the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, or ’80s—scoring goals is tough.”

Leading the Eastern Conference, the Capitals have six games remaining in the regular season.

Information from ESPN Research and The Associated Press contributed to this report.