On Friday, April 4, 2025, Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin scored his 894th career goal, tying Wayne Gretzky’s longstanding NHL record. The milestone goal occurred at the 6:13 mark of the third period during a home game against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Ovechkin scored the monumental goal in the same manner as so many of goals. He was left wide-open on the forecheck while skating on his wrong wing, took a pass from John Carlson, then released a one-time wrist shot from the left face-off spot, beating Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight.
Ovechkin, who began his NHL career with the Capitals in the 2005-06 season, achieved this feat in his 1,486th game. His pursuit of the record accelerated earlier in the week when he notched his 892nd goal against the Carolina Hurricanes on April 2.
Wayne Gretzky, whose record stood since 1994, was present at the game, alongside NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and other league officials. Gretzky had previously acknowledged the likelihood of Ovechkin reaching this milestone and commended his exceptional goal-scoring abilities.
This achievement has been celebrated by fans worldwide, particularly in Russia, where Ovechkin began his hockey career. Supporters at Moscow’s Dynamo sports club, where Ovechkin played before joining the NHL, expressed immense pride in his accomplishment.
With a handful of games still left in the regular season, Ovechkin now sits on the brink of making NHL history. After years of chasing Gretzky’s once-untouchable mark, the Capitals captain has finally caught him—and now just one more goal will put him alone at the top. It’s the kind of moment fans dream about, and Ovechkin, as always, is right in the spotlight.
OVI TIES GRETZKY'S GOAL RECORD WITH NO. 894 ‼️ pic.twitter.com/ObVXq8g3hR
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 5, 2025
