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In a historic moment for the NHL, Alex Ovechkin has eclipsed Wayne Gretzky’s long-standing record for the most goals scored in league history, achieving his 895th career goal during a game on Sunday.
Playing as captain for the Washington Capitals, Ovechkin made his mark against the New York Islanders, netting the record-breaking goal on a power play with 12:34 remaining in the second period. Ovechkin received a precise pass from his teammate Tom Wilson and delivered a powerful shot past goaltender Ilya Sorokin, marking the first time he has scored against the fellow Russian keeper.
The crowd erupted in cheers as Ovechkin celebrated, with numerous Capitals fans chanting “Ovi! Ovi!” in the stands.
Following his monumental achievement, Ovechkin was congratulated by his teammates, who rushed to embrace the 39-year-old. This goal not only celebrates Ovechkin’s skill but also stands as a milestone that has reshaped the record books, replacing a mark that had endured for over three decades.
The energy in the arena was palpable, especially with Gretzky himself present in the audience to witness the moment. Ovechkin took the time to thank the team’s equipment and training staff on the bench and exchanged handshakes with the Islanders players, as preparations began for a special presentation ceremony.
On the path to this achievement, Ovechkin had been closing in on Gretzky’s record after tying it just days earlier by scoring two goals against the Chicago Blackhawks. His journey was particularly remarkable, considering that he faced a significant setback earlier in the season when a fractured left leg kept him sidelined for 16 games. Yet, his ability to continuously find the back of the net over the past two decades demonstrates both his resilience and exceptional talent.
Despite Ovechkin’s recent accolade, Gretzky continues to hold an impressive 55 NHL records, many of which remain seemingly untouched. In particular, Gretzky’s total of 2,857 points and 1,963 assists stand out, with the latter statistic surpassing the combined total of any other player’s goals and assists.
In terms of playoff performance, Gretzky also leads with 122 playoff goals, while Ovechkin has 72 in this category. The former also accumulated an additional 56 goals in the World Hockey Association, while Ovechkin has scored 57 during his time in the KHL, Russia’s premier league.
As Ovechkin looks towards the future, there are possibilities for him to return to play in his homeland, especially with one season remaining on his current five-year, $47.5 million contract, signed in 2021. This contract was structured to allow him ample time to chase Gretzky’s record, and he has surprisingly achieved this goal much sooner than anticipated.
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