One year ago, Alex Ovechkin delivered a moment that reshaped hockey history. On April 6, 2025, the Washington Capitals captain scored his 895th career goal to pass Wayne Gretzky and become the NHL’s all-time leading scorer.
The Capitals marked the anniversary by sharing the clip on X with the caption, “A year to the day the chasing was done.”
The goal came against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena. It arrived in classic Ovechkin fashion, a powerful one-timer from the left circle on the power play, a spot long known as his office.
Teammates Tom Wilson and Dylan Strome combined on the setup, feeding Ovechkin for the historic finish. As the puck hit the net, the arena erupted despite the road setting. Ovechkin responded with a signature celebration, diving onto the ice in a belly-flop slide before being surrounded by teammates.
The game paused for a ceremony as Gretzky himself joined the celebration. The passing of the torch carried weight, with the Great One congratulating Ovechkin on the ice. For decades, Gretzky’s 894 goals seemed untouchable, yet Ovechkin’s steady scoring made the record fall.
Speaking after the game, Ovechkin called the moment “unbelievable” and admitted it would take time to understand the achievement. He credited teammates, coaches, and family for helping him reach the milestone.
““This is something crazy,” Ovechkin said to the media after breaking Gretzky’s goal record. “I’m probably going to need a couple more days or maybe a couple weeks to realize what does it mean to be No. 1. But I can say I’m very proud. I’m really proud for myself. I’m really proud for my family, for all my teammates that help me to reach that milestone and for all my coaches. It’s huge. It’s unbelievable. It’s an unbelievable moment and I’m happy.”
Alex Ovechkin is still building on his new NHL goal records
A year later, Ovechkin has pushed the record even further. As of April 6, he has scored 928 regular-season goals, extending his lead at the top. His combined total, including playoffs, has reached 1,005 goals.
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On March 22, Ovechkin became just the second player after Gretzky to hit 1,000 total career goals. The milestone reinforced his place among hockey’s greatest scorers.
Even after breaking the record, Ovechkin continues to produce. His legacy now goes beyond the chase, as he sets a new benchmark for future generations.
