It was one of those nights in sports where the energy in the arena told you something unforgettable was about to happen.
The kind of night where fans will say, “I was there,” and mean it.
The Moment the Record Was Tied
Alex Ovechkin, the indomitable captain of the Washington Capitals, delivered a moment straight out of a fairytale—scoring his 894th career goal and tying none other than The Great One himself, Wayne Gretzky, for the most goals in NHL history.
During a Friday night matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks, the 39-year-old veteran did what he’s done better than anyone in modern hockey—he scored.
His second goal of the night came from his trademark spot in the left circle, hammering home a one-timer off a crisp pass from longtime teammate John Carlson.
As the puck hit the back of the net, Capital One Arena erupted.
In the stands, Gretzky stood alongside NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, applauding as the game paused to honor the milestone.
Ovechkin took a lap around the ice, waving to fans, teammates, and the legends who witnessed it live.
A Career Built on Consistency and Power
For anyone who’s followed Ovechkin’s career, this moment felt like destiny.
Since being drafted No. 1 overall by the Capitals back in 2004, he’s been a force of nature.
Although his rookie debut was delayed due to the 2004–05 lockout, he made up for lost time in spectacular fashion, scoring twice in his very first game.
He earned his first hat trick just a few months into his rookie season and, not long after, scored what many call the greatest goal in NHL history—sliding the puck into the net while falling on his back against the Coyotes.
It was the kind of effort that perfectly captured his relentless drive and creativity.
Milestone After Milestone
Ovechkin’s scoring journey has been a timeline of dominance.
He reached 100 goals in 2007, 200 in 2009, 300 in 2011, and just kept going from there. By 2016, he hit the 500-goal mark, then cracked 600 in 2018. He notched No. 700 in 2020 and hit 800 in 2022.
Every one of these moments was a building block to this historic night, when he caught up to Gretzky’s mythical number.
While most of his goals have come during the regular season, only 72 have been in the playoffs—a number that still places him at the top among current players, but 15th all-time.
Trophies, Awards, and Unmatched Respect
Ovechkin’s legacy isn’t just about goals. He’s a nine-time winner of the Rocket Richard Trophy (most goals in a season) and even snagged the Art Ross Trophy in 2008 for most points.
He’s been voted league MVP three times by the media (Hart Trophy) and three times by his peers (Ted Lindsay Award).
Twelve All-Star selections and a Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie round out his impressive resume.
Chasing the Cup—And Finally Grabbing It
For years, the one thing eluding Ovechkin was a Stanley Cup.
Despite making the playoffs in nearly every season of his career, the Capitals struggled to get past the second round.
The Pittsburgh Penguins, in particular, were a recurring nightmare. But in the 2017–18 season, everything changed.
That spring, Ovechkin and the Caps finally toppled Pittsburgh, then clawed past the Lightning in a grueling seven-game series to reach the Stanley Cup Final.
Facing the Vegas Golden Knights in their debut season, Washington dominated.
They closed out the series 4-3 and brought home the first Stanley Cup in franchise history—ending a 27-year title drought for D.C. sports.
Ovechkin was rightfully named the Conn Smythe winner as playoff MVP, a crowning moment for a player who had carried the weight of an entire city on his shoulders.
What Comes Next for Ovi?
Since that 2018 victory, the Capitals haven’t had much playoff success, being bounced in the first round in every attempt. Still, Ovechkin continues to chase greatness with the same energy and fire.
Will he break the record and become the lone leader? All signs point to yes.
But even now, having simply matched Gretzky, Ovechkin has already cemented his place as one of the most iconic athletes in hockey history.
Now, he stands shoulder to shoulder with Gretzky—something once thought impossible in the modern NHL.
