Wayne Gretzky’s record of 894 career goals was surpassed by Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin on April 6th against the New York Islanders. 

Ovechkin entered game tied with The Great One after scoring a pair of goals at home against the Chicago Blackhawks on April 4th. 

All eyes have been on the 39-year-old this season as he has steadily closed in on Gretzky’s record. 

After going goal-less in his first three games, Ovechkin netted his first goal of the 2024-25 campaign against the New Jersey Devils in a 6-5 overtime win on October 19th. The Moscow native would go on to skate in 18 games for the Capitals in the early stages of the season before suffering a broken leg after colliding with Jack McBain of the Utah Hockey Club. 

Ovechkin made his return in on December 28th against the Toronto Maple Leafs, scoring and recording over 14 minutes of ice time in a 5-2 win. 

Ovechkin continued to score at will upon his return as the once thought to be impossible task of catching Gretzky started to come into focus. 

As the NHL’s regular season began to wind down, Ovechkin’s pace picked up, scoring seven goals in 14 games during the month of March. Come April and Gretzky’s record was in the crosshairs. 

Goal 890 came against the Boston Bruins on April 1st, 891 against the Carolina Hurricanes the next day and 893 and the record-tying 894th came against the Blackhawks two days later. 

The now historic moment came from his signature spot against the Islanders, parked at the top of the left faceoff dot, hammering home a one-timer that beat Ilya Sorokin. 

Over the span of his 1,487 career NHL games spanning two decades, Ovechkin has totalled 1,619 points. He has 12 All-Star nods, nine Richard Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy wins, three Hart Memorial Trophy, three Ted Lindsay Award wins, a Stanley Cup, and numerous accolades to his name. 

While his goal record has fallen, Gretzky holds a second one, assists, with 1,963. A record that seems insurmountable to break, though only time will tell if it will.