• Loading stock data...
Monday, April 7, 2025
Nominations Are Open for Front Office Sports Honors! Submit Now

Alex Ovechkin Breaks NHL All-Time Scoring Record, Netting 895th Goal

In his 20th NHL season, the Capitals’ superstar ended the GR8 Chase by downing the record held by Wayne Gretzky since 1994, a mark once widely considered untouchable.

Apr 6, 2025; Elmont, New York, USA; former Canadian-American ice hockey player Wayne Gretzky and Comissioner of the NHL Gary Bettman congratulates Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) after scoring a goal in the 2nd period against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena. The goal is the 895th of Ovechkin’s career, breaking the NHL all-time career goals record previously held by Wayne Gretzky.at UBS Arena
Geoff Burke/Imagn Images

The GR8 Chase is over. Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin tallied his 895th goal on Sunday, making him the top scorer in National Hockey League history and new owner of one of the most hallowed records in sports.

With a second-period power play snipe against the Islanders at UBS Arena, Ovechkin broke the NHL record of 894 goals, held by Wayne Gretzky since 1994 and long considered an impossible bar to clear.

The 39-year-old Ovechkin pursued the mark in a relentless, steady fashion, posting 14 seasons with at least 40 goals over a 20-year career. Even in this current season, Ovechkin ranks third in the league with 42 goals—despite being one of the league’s oldest players and missing more than a month of games with a broken fibula. Ovechkin is also the all-time leader in power play goals.

Following the record-setting goal, play paused with a celebration on the ice, with both the Capitals and Islanders lining up to congratulate Ovechkin. Chants of “Ovi, Ovi” rang out in the packed house as a video celebration of Ovechkin’s career highlights played. In a center-ice ceremony, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, Gretzky, and Capitals owner Ted Leonsis joined Ovechkin.

“What a day, eh?” Ovechkin said. “We did it, boys!” He also thanked fellow Russian Ilya Sorokin for letting in the shot.

On Friday night, the Moscow-born Ovechkin tied the all-time record on home ice with two goals against the Blackhawks in what was his 1,486th regular-season NHL game—one fewer than Gretzky took to notch 894 goals. Secondary-market ticket prices subsequently shot up for Sunday’s game, spiking above $1,000 in some instances, a normally unheard-of sum for a regular-season NHL game.

The GR8 Chase has been a major late-season storyline for the league, which was already riding a resurgent wave of fan interest following the highly successful 4 Nations Face-Off in February. Ovechkin’s pursuit of the record has prompted a series of broadcast shifts to give the Capitals additional national exposure. 

The team’s ownership group, Monumental Sports & Entertainment, also struck a recent agreement with the NHL to allow its regional sports network, Monumental Sports Network, and longtime Capitals play-by-play broadcaster Joe Beninati to call the historic goal—despite Sunday’s game appearing on TNT. Monumental immediately shared a highlight of Beninati’s call across its digital and social platforms, and a full, local production of the game will be replayed later.

Oveckin’s pursuit of history, meanwhile, has added to a historic campaign for the Capitals in which the franchise is celebrating its 50th anniversary this season. The team is also pursuing the Presidents’ Trophy, and entered Sunday’s game just one point behind the league-leading Jets.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

The pin flag on the second green flaps in the wind during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Inside The Masters: Traditions, Restrictions, and Gnomes

How the most exclusive major employs its own strict rules and operations.

Back on Top: UConn, Geno Auriemma Make History With 12th Title

Auriemma said that it would be “very difficult” to leave UConn.
Breanna Stewart
exclusive

Unrivaled Made Over $27 Million in Revenue, ‘Almost’ Broke Even

More ticket and merch sales will be key in Year 2.
Apr 4, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley reacts during the first quarter in a semifinal of the women's 2025 NCAA tournament against the Texas Longhorns at Amalie Arena.

Gap Narrows Between Women’s and Men’s Tourneys, but Issues Remain

The NCAA has made changes, but several issues still remain.

Featured Today

Mar 16, 2023; Sacramento, CA, USA; Missouri Tigers guard Kobe Brown (24) reacts after scoring a basket agianst the Utah State Aggies during the second half at Golden 1 Center.
exclusive

‘It’s On Principle’: NBA Players On Filing for House Settlement Checks

The checks are relatively small. That’s not the point, players say.
Mar 29, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) before playing against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the East Regional final of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center.
April 5, 2025

As College Basketball Teams Got Older, Duke Embraced the Fountain of Youth

How the Blue Devils went old-school in the transfer portal era.
Mar 1, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) and center Olivier Rioux (32) and guard Alijah Martin (15) and forward Thomas Haugh (10) huddle after the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center
April 4, 2025

How Florida Built a Final Four Roster With ‘Under-Recruited’ Players

“We’ve never gotten a single player because we’re the highest bidder.”
Dec 27, 2024; San Jose, California, USA; San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (71) skates during warm ups before their game against the Vegas Golden Knights at SAP Center at San Jose
April 3, 2025

Macklin Celebrini and the Sharks Rookies Have Brought Good Vibes to a..

The rookie’s arrival has boosted spirits incongruously high inside the flagging franchise.
Ja Morant

Ja Morant Fined $75K for Defying NBA Warning on Finger Guns

Morant has served two suspensions in his career over brandishing firearms.
April 2, 2025

This Year’s Masters Features Smallest LIV Golf Contingent Yet

There are 12 LIV players set to compete in Augusta.
Paige
April 4, 2025

Paige Bueckers Stays Tight-Lipped About Pro Future

The UConn star’s WNBA future could be clearer in just 10 days.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Mar 26, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the first half Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
April 1, 2025

The Creator Behind the LeBron ‘Glazing’ Trend Sweeping TikTok

FOS spoke to TikTok user OkaySpade who made the original song.
Mar 30, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart (28) reacts after a fight against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Target Center. Stewart was later ejected from the game.
April 1, 2025

NBA Lightly Suspends Five Players for Timberwolves-Pistons Brawl

The brawl came in a game where 12 technical fouls were issued.
March 31, 2025

WNBA Draft: Tourney Stars Face Tough Choices Amid CBA Uncertainty

Flau’Jae Johnson is still undecided.
Sponsored

Win. Advance. Repeat: The Professional Fighters League’s Rise to Prominence 

As of 2025, PFL has introduced a World Tournament format, where every fighter must battle through a high-stakes bracket to reach a championship.