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Red Wings' Patrick Kane Sends Message to Alex Ovechkin: 'From 88 to 8...'

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Apr 7, 2025 5:00 AM ET

Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin became the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer on Sunday afternoon, passing Wayne Gretzky with his 895th career goal in a game against the New York Islanders.

The goal, a signature power-play one-timer from the left circle, came midway through the second period at UBS Arena.

Teammates swarmed Ovechkin, who later skated to center ice, pointed to the sky, and celebrated with staff, family, and fans during an on-ice ceremony that paused the game for over 25 minutes.

The NHL compiled a tribute video that featured messages from Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, LeBron James, Simone Biles, Derek Jeter, Michael Phelps, and others.

Among the messages that followed was one from Detroit Red Wings veteran and fellow superstar Patrick Kane.

From 88 to 8.

Congrats, Ovi!#Gr8Chase pic.twitter.com/ywvygcVQW3
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) April 6, 2025

“Hey Ovi, Kaner here,” Kane said. “I just want to congratulate you on passing the all-time goal-scoring record. What an amazing accomplishment. Obviously, it was a record that a lot of us thought would never be broken, and here you are doing it.

“It’s been fun getting to know you over the years at different events like media tours and All-Star games. I’ve always had the highest respect for you and how you play the game. And how you’re able to score goals.”

The 39-year-old Russian fired his 42nd of the season past Ilya Sorokin, who became the 183rd different goaltender Ovechkin has scored against.

The moment capped a weekend in which the Capitals captain tied Gretzky’s record with two goals against the Blackhawks on Friday but refused to break it into during an empty-net situation.

Ovechkin’s record pursuit spanned two decades in Washington, where he won three Hart Trophies and a Conn Smythe award while lifting the Stanley Cup in 2018.

The winger now holds NHL records for goals (895), power-play goals (325), overtime goals (27), and game-winning goals (136). Sunday's appearance also marked Ovechkin's 1,487th game—the same number Gretzky played before retiring in 1999 with 894 goals.

The Capitals lost 4-1 to the Islanders but remain atop the Metropolitan Division with a 49-19-9 record and five games left to play.

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

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