Alex Ovechkin breaks NHL history with 895th career goal to pass Wayne Gretzky's record

USA Today

06-04-2025

Alex Ovechkin breaks NHL history with 895th career goal to pass Wayne Gretzky's record
Alex Ovechkin has officially made NHL history!
On April 6 against the New York Islanders, Ovechkin scored his 895th career NHL goal, breaking the league record held by Wayne Gretzky since 1999. It's a record many didn't believe would fall in the modern game of hockey, but Ovechkin's push intensified this season — even despite sustaining a broken leg in late 2024.
Entering the 2024-25 NHL season, Ovechkin — age 39 — needed 42 goals to break the NHL record.
The moment is a long time coming for the life-long Washington Capital, who cements his place as the NHL's best, most potent goal scorer in league history. And given he has one year left on his contract with the Capitals, it seems as if there will be more goals to come before his career comes to a close.
Here's the moment the historic goal was scored against Islanders and how Ovechkin and the Capitals celebrated the momentous occasion.
What a moment.