Alex Ovechkin Breaks Gretzky’s All-Time NHL Goals Record

Alex Ovechkin has officially broken Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL goals record, scoring his 895th goal in the second period against the New York Islanders on Sunday. The historic goal came on a power play at UBS Arena, making Ovechkin the new NHL goal-scoring king.

Ovechkin beat Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin for the record-breaking tally, with Tom Wilson and Dylan Strome assisting on the play. The Washington Capitals star was immediately mobbed by his teammates at center ice as he celebrated.

Wayne Gretzky, who was in attendance at UBS Arena, congratulated Ovechkin and spoke during a brief on-ice ceremony following the milestone. Gretzky’s total of 894 goals had stood for 31 years and was long considered an untouchable record in hockey.

Ovechkin’s achievement is even more impressive considering he missed 16 games earlier this season with a broken left leg. The 39-year-old Russian entered the 2024-25 season with 853 career goals and started the campaign red-hot with 15 goals in his first 18 games before the injury.

“The chasing days are done!” exclaimed Joe Beninati during the Monumental Sports Network telecast. “Alex Ovechkin is the greatest goal-scorer in the history of the NHL.”

In addition to breaking the all-time goals record, Ovechkin already owned NHL records for power-play goals, shots on goal, and most goaltenders scored against, with Sorokin becoming the 183rd different netminder he has beaten in his career.

Ovechkin had tied Gretzky’s record on Friday night by scoring his 893rd and 894th goals against the Chicago Blackhawks at Capital One Arena. Notably, when the Blackhawks pulled their goalie late in that game, Ovechkin declined to attempt an empty-net goal, apparently wanting to break the record with a goaltender in the crease.

Gretzky had promised to be present when Ovechkin broke his record, citing “the integrity of the game” and noting that when he broke Gordie Howe’s record, Howe was there to witness it.