Alex Ovechkin etched his name atop NHL history Sunday, scoring his 895th career goal to pass Wayne Gretzky as the league’s all-time leading goal scorer.
The 39-year-old Washington Capitals captain netted the milestone power-play goal in the second period against the New York Islanders, beating fellow Russian Ilya Sorokin in his 1,487th NHL game, the same total Gretzky played.
With NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Gretzky in attendance, the game paused for an emotional celebration as Ovechkin’s teammates swarmed him and fans chanted “Ovi!” from the stands. Ovechkin, who debuted in 2005 and has spent his entire career in Washington, holds the all-time records for power-play goals (325), overtime goals (27), and game-winners (136).
Ovechkin entered this season needing 42 goals to pass Gretzky and accomplished it despite a midseason leg fracture that forced him to miss 16 games.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].