WASHINGTON — Alex Ovechkin etched his name alongside Wayne Gretzky in the NHL record books on Friday, scoring his 893rd and 894th career goals to tie the league’s all-time mark during a 5-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks at Capital One Arena. The Washington Capitals captain reached the milestone in front of a roaring home crowd and with Gretzky, the previous sole record holder, in attendance.
Ovechkin’s record-tying 894th goal came at 6:13 of the third period, a power-play one-timer from the left circle off a pass from defenseman John Carlson. The shot beat Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight short side, giving Washington a 4-3 lead. Earlier, at 3:52 of the first period, Ovechkin opened the scoring with goal No. 893, another one-timer from the right circle assisted by center Dylan Strome. The two tallies brought Ovechkin level with Gretzky’s 894 goals, a mark set in 1999.
The 39-year-old Russian forward achieved the feat in his 1,486th regular-season game, all with the Capitals, who drafted him first overall in 2004. Gretzky, now 64, reached 894 goals across 1,487 games with four teams—the Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and New York Rangers—before retiring. Gretzky had held the record alone since surpassing Gordie Howe’s 801 goals on March 23, 1994, a record Howe had taken from Maurice Richard’s 544 in 1963.
Friday’s game marked a historic moment for Ovechkin and his longtime teammate Carlson, who assisted on both goals. Carlson, in his 1,032nd game with Ovechkin, has now contributed to 158 of his captain’s goals, second only to Nicklas Backstrom’s 279. “I just think some things are meant to be,” Carlson said. “I’ve played with him the longest here that’s playing tonight. It’s a cool thing to have.”
Capitals coach Spencer Carbery praised the synergy between Ovechkin and his veteran teammates. “Having been with ‘O’ and been through this journey for so many years, it means a little bit more to [Carlson and Tom Wilson],” Carbery said. “They’ve been riding right beside ‘O’ and they’ve won a Stanley Cup with him.” Center Dylan Strome, who assisted on the first goal, called Carlson’s role “very fitting,” noting the defenseman’s energy throughout the game.
Ovechkin, in his 20th NHL season, reflected on the milestone’s significance. “Without my boys, I would never reach that milestone,” he said, acknowledging his teammates’ contributions. His 41 goals in 60 games this season include his 14th campaign with at least 40, an NHL record. He also holds league marks for power-play goals (324), overtime goals (27), and, with Friday’s second tally, game-winning goals (136), surpassing Jaromir Jagr.
Despite an opportunity to break the record late in the game with an empty net, Ovechkin declined. “I tell ‘Carbs’ right away, ‘I don’t want to do it,’” he said, preferring to surpass Gretzky with a goaltender in net. Carbery respected the decision: “He wants to break the record and have that moment be where he’s shooting a puck past a goalie.” Ovechkin’s next chance comes Sunday against the New York Islanders.
Gretzky witnessed the moment he’d long anticipated sharing. Since scoring his final goal on March 29, 1999, against the Islanders, he’d held the record unchallenged—until now. Ovechkin, who scored his first two goals in his 2005 debut against Columbus’ Pascal Leclaire, has now tallied against an NHL-record 182 goaltenders, per NHL.com.
The Capitals’ victory underscored Ovechkin’s enduring impact. Carlson celebrated by mimicking Ovechkin’s signature glass-jumping move, a nod to their shared history. “It’s a special memory for me and my family,” Carlson said. As Ovechkin nears the record-breaking 895th goal, the hockey world watches a legacy unfold.
