Alexander Ovechkin, the captain of the Washington Capitals, has officially become the NHL’s all-time leading goal-scorer, breaking Wayne Gretzky’s long-standing record of 894 goals. With his 895th career goal, scored on the power play against the New York Islanders, Ovechkin has made history. But even at age 39, the Russian legend isn’t ready to stop. There are still many records and milestones left for him to chase.
Ovechkin Scores Record Goal in Style
Ovechkin’s record-setting goal came from his favourite spot—the left half-wall—often called “his office.” However, instead of his usual one-timer, he used a smooth wrist shot to beat Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin. The game paused to honour Ovechkin’s achievement, and the crowd gave him a massive round of applause.
Speaking after the goal, Ovechkin admitted how special the moment was:
“This is something crazy… I’m very proud. I’m proud of myself, my family, my teammates, and all my coaches. It’s unbelievable.”
Still Going Strong at 39
Even though Ovechkin has made history, he is not planning to retire anytime soon. He still has one year left on his contract, and his performance this season shows he’s far from slowing down. With 42 goals and 69 points in just 61 games, he’s playing like a top star.
The Capitals are currently leading the Eastern Conference and just three points behind the Winnipeg Jets for the Presidents’ Trophy. This gives Ovechkin a great shot at winning his second Stanley Cup.
More Milestones Within Reach
Ovechkin is not just sitting on his 895 goals. He still has big goals in mind. With 72 playoff goals so far, he needs only 7 more to reach the top 10 all-time playoff scorers. If he has a strong postseason, this is definitely possible.
He also has a chance to break another record: the combined total of regular-season and playoff goals. Wayne Gretzky holds that mark too, but Ovechkin is just 50 goals away. At his current scoring rate of 0.69 goals per game, he could pass that in around 73 more games.
Can He Reach 1,000 Goals?
If Ovechkin continues at this pace and signs a new contract after next season, 1,000 career goals might be possible. He would need around 153 more games to do it, which would take him into the 2026-27 season. Scoring like this at 40 or 41 years old will be tough, but Ovechkin has always proven his critics wrong.
Other Records He Could Break
Ovechkin is also close to two more legendary records:
He is tied with Wayne Gretzky and Mike Bossy for most 50-goal seasons at nine. One more 50-goal season will put him at the top.
He is also just 10 multi-goal games away from breaking Gretzky’s record for the most multi-goal games in NHL history.
What About the Next Goal-Scoring Great?
Some fans and experts are already asking: who can break Ovechkin’s record in the future? The top name that comes up is Auston Matthews, the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs. But even Matthews has said he’s not chasing that goal—yet.
So, Ovechkin might want to keep adding to his tally to make sure his record stands for a long time.
Alexander Ovechkin has already secured his place in NHL history by becoming the league’s all-time leading goal-scorer. But his hunger for success hasn’t faded. With more records in sight and his team pushing for the Stanley Cup, Ovechkin is proving that age is just a number. Whether it’s 1,000 goals, another Cup, or more playoff glory, Ovi’s journey is far from over. His dedication, skill, and passion for the game continue to inspire fans around the world.
