Alex Ovechkin scores goal #895 to break Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL scoring record

For Alex Ovechkin, the goal in Sunday’s game came just like so many before it did — on the power play, from the top of the left faceoff circle, a powerful shot right to the goal.

But this one was history. For the Washington Capitals star, this 895th goal of his regular season career makes him the NHL’s new all-time scoring leader after Wayne Gretzky, the “Great One,” held the record for more than 30 years.

After he scored, Ovechkin slid to the ice belly-first and shouted with delight as his teammates raced onto the ice in a joyous mob. And the crowd — even at an away game against the New York Islanders — roared and chanted his name. 

The game paused for more than ten minutes for an official celebration as soon as Ovechkin scored. Both benches emptied as the teams, Capitals and Islanders alike, lined up to shake Ovechkin’s hand. And Gretzky joined Ovechkin on the ice, along with Ovechkin’s family and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, for a mid-game ceremony.

Washington’s game against the New York Islanders paused for a celebration as soon as Ovechkin scored. Both benches emptied as the teams, Capitals and Islanders alike, lined up to shake Ovechkin’s hand. And Gretzky joined Ovechkin on the ice, along with Ovechkin’s family and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, for a mid-game ceremony.

“I could tell you firsthand I know how hard it is to get to 894,” Gretzky said. “895 is pretty special.”

“They say records are made to be broken, but I’m not sure who’s going to get more goals than that,” Gretzky joked.

Ovechkin’s chase for Gretzky’s record had come to be the headliner story of the entire NHL season. Last Friday, he scored two goals to tie the record at home in Washington. Afterward, prices for tickets to Sunday’s game in New York had soared to $1,000 or more, as fans raced for the opportunity to see history.