Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) waits for a faceoff against the Boston Bruins during the third period at TD Garden. Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

Alex Ovechkin ties Wayne Gretzky for NHL’s all-time goals record

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Renzo Pocholo Salao | Last updated Apr 4, 2025 10:17 PM ET

Alex Ovechkin entered Friday needing a couple of goals to tie Wayne Gretzky for the NHL’s all-time goals record. The Washington Capitals legend did not disappoint.

Ovi got his shot at history against the Chicago Blackhawks at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. He entered the night with 892 goals, just two shy of Gretzky’s 894 career total.

Ovechkin got to work early, scoring the game’s opening goal about four minutes into the first period to get him to 893.

TWO GOALS LEFT

ALEX OVECHKIN IS CLOSER TO THE ALL-TIME GOALS RECORD!! pic.twitter.com/c9MwapMse3
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 4, 2025

The anticipation for 894 mounted up until the third period. With the Capitals and Blackhawks tied 3-3, Ovechkin’s moment finally came. Defenseman John Carlson and winger Andrew Mangiapane helped set up Ovi for his record-tying goal six minutes into the final period.

OVI HAS TIED WAYNE GRETZKY FOR MOST GOALS ALL TIME WITH CAREER GOAL #894 pic.twitter.com/wRQ5uv7s5B
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 5, 2025

Gretzky himself was in attendance to witness Ovechkin’s historic moment.

Wayne Gretzky is in the building to watch Alex Ovechkin's Gr8 Chase❗️

ESPN+/Hulu/Disney+ pic.twitter.com/wxVd6EhQpP
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 4, 2025

The Capitals scored one more goal on Friday, but it came courtesy of Ovechkin’s teammate Ryan Leonard. Washington won 5-3.

With six games remaining on the Capitals’ schedule this season, it seems inevitable that Ovechkin will soon be standing alone as the NHL’s top goal scorer.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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