ELMONT, NY - APRIL 06: Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates after scoring his 895th career goal breaking the NHL record for most goals ever in a NHL game between the Washington Capitals and New York Islanders at UBS Arena on April 6, 2025 in Elmont, New York.
(Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire)

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Alex Ovechkin becomes leading goalscorer in NHL history
  • Ovi has scored in five straight games
  • Read below more on the achievement

Alex Ovechkin has done it.

The Washington Capitals captain scored in the second period of Sunday afternoon’s game against the New York Islanders to break Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL goal record. It was the fifth-straight game with a goal for Ovechkin, who scored twice on Friday night to tie The Great One.

It was only fitting that Ovechkin’s record-breaking goal came on the power play.

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And it was a celebration for the ages by Ovechkin, who sniped a goal from the top of the circle past fellow Russian netminder Ilya Sorokin.

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It was a momentous occasion for Ovechkin and the entire NHL. As planned, the game stopped in order to honor what many thought was an unbreakable record.

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Ovechkin has put up 42 goals in 61 games during his age-39 season to break Gretzky’s record. He’s one of the oldest active NHL players and has been able to stay healthy enough to become the league’s all-time goal leader.

Despite suffering a broken leg in November, Ovechkin didn’t slow down this season. He had 15 goals in 18 games before the injury and has 27 goals in 43 games since returning.

The Great 8 only heated up as the season moved along. He has 16 goals in 21 games since the 4 Nations Face-Off break, including six goals in five games to break Gretzky’s record.

Alex Ovechkin is the greatest goalscorer of all time. It is now official.