Ovechkin Ties a Gretzky Record

UPDATE Apr 5, 2025 7:00 AM CDT

It's an achievement that not many thought would come to pass: The Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin has tied hockey legend Wayne Gretzky's NHL record for the most goals. The AP reports that the 39-year-old reached goal No. 894 after scoring twice on Friday night in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks, with Gretzky in attendance. The Capitals put up a post showing the two smiling stars posing together after Ovechkin's accomplishment. ESPN notes that Ovechkin will next have the chance to break Gretzky's record on Sunday, when the Capitals play the Islanders on Long Island, and that if that happens, the game will be paused for about 10 minutes to have a quick ceremony, with Gretzky included, in acknowledgment of Ovechkin's feat. If Ovechkin doesn't score on Sunday, he'll get to try again in DC on Thursday, when his team plays the Carolina Hurricanes.

Apr 4, 2025 12:30 PM CDT

It was a record many thought would never fall. But Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is now just two goals shy of tying Wayne Gretzky's total of 894. And starting Friday night in Washington, Gretzky will be attendance at Ovechkin's games.

• "It's great," Ovechkin said after his team's morning skate, per the AP. "He's been supportive all the time to me. It's a fun time right now. We'll see what's going to happen, but right now it's all attention to a hockey game. It's a pretty cool moment."

• Gretzky passed "Mr. Hockey" Gordie Howe's all-time mark of 801 career goals in 1994. And now Gretzky is accompanying Ovechkin on the approach to 895 like Howe did for him on the way to 802.
• The NHL has an online portal dedicated to the chase.
• Ovechkin played his first game for Washington in 2005, per USA Today, and has been a remarkably consistent goal-scorer every year since. He's also largely avoided major injuries.

(More Alexander Ovechkin stories.)