By rikififi90 
The night of April 4 will go down in hockey history. At 13:46 of the third period, Alex Ovechkin, captain of the Washington Capitals, fired a precise shot on a power play against the Chicago Blackhawks, scoring his 894th career goal and tying Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL record. The scoreboard, locked at 3-3 until that moment, shifted as Ovechkin’s goal sealed a 5-3 victory for the Capitals in a thrilling matchup at Capital One Arena in Washington. With Gretzky himself in the stands, the milestone sparked a deafening celebration, with chants of “Ovi! Ovi!” ringing out as the star skated laps, soaking in the crowd’s roar.
Ovechkin wasted no time making his presence felt. Less than four minutes into the game, he opened the scoring with his 893rd goal, taking a pinpoint pass from Dylan Strome behind the net and banking the puck off goaltender Spencer Knight’s back into the goal. The early 1-0 lead set the tone for a special night, with fans already buzzing about the looming record. The arena erupted as Ovechkin’s personal goal song, “Shake, Rattle & Roll” by Big Joe Turner, blared, and mascot Slapshot flipped the goal counter from 892 to 893.
The Capitals’ 5-3 win solidified their lead in the Eastern Conference, boasting 48 victories in 74 regular-season games. Ovechkin’s goal at the 14-minute mark of the third not only matched Gretzky’s record but also stood as the game-winner—his 136th, surpassing Jaromir Jagr for the most in NHL history. With six games left, Ovechkin’s next chance to break the record comes Sunday against the New York Islanders.
Key moments of the game in minutes
- 3:52 of the first period: Ovechkin scores his 893rd goal, assisted by Dylan Strome, taking a 1-0 lead.
- 9:17 of the first period: Nick Foligno ties it at 1-1 for Chicago.
- 4:23 of the second period: Connor Bedard puts the Blackhawks ahead 2-1.
- 12:58 of the second period: John Carlson levels the score at 2-2 with a long-range shot.
- 13:46 of the third period: Ovechkin’s 894th goal on a power play turns the game to 4-3, tying Gretzky.
He’s the greatest to ever do it. What an unforgettable night. https://t.co/BofODDscca
— John Walton (@JohnWaltonPxP) April 5, 2025
Ovechkin’s chase for the record
Alex Ovechkin stepped onto the ice Friday night with one mission: catch Wayne Gretzky. At 39 years old and in his 20th NHL season, the Capitals captain proved age hasn’t dulled his edge. His first goal, at 3:52, marked his 242nd career first-period tally, overtaking Gretzky in that category too. The accuracy of his shot and quick decision-making underscored the skill that’s delivered 40 goals this season—his 14th time hitting that mark, a league record.
The record-tying goal came at a pivotal moment. With the score knotted at 3-3, a power play gave the Capitals the edge, and Ovechkin delivered. Stationed in his signature “office” at the left circle, he unleashed a one-timer past Knight, clinching the win and sending the crowd into a frenzy. He celebrated with laps around the ice and blew kisses to his family in a suite, while the arena screens played a montage of his journey to 894.
Gretzky’s presence added extra weight to the night. The legend, who’d held the record solo since March 23, 1994, watched from the stands for the first time in Ovechkin’s chase. During the first intermission, he admitted feeling proud to witness the moment and jokingly said he nearly left after the early goal, fearing Ovechkin might score three in the first period alone.
A night of high emotion in Washington
Capital One Arena buzzed with anticipation from the start. Sold out and hosting icons like Gretzky and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, the game against the Blackhawks transcended a typical regular-season clash. Every Ovechkin touch drew gasps and cheers, and his two goals pushed the atmosphere to rare heights of euphoria. The 5-3 win almost felt secondary to the historic milestone, but it showcased the Capitals’ strength at a critical juncture.
The team effort shone through too. Dylan Strome notched two assists, pivotal in both Ovechkin goals, while John Carlson added a goal and an assist. Goaltender Charlie Lindgren made 27 saves, holding off Chicago’s push led by Connor Bedard and Nick Foligno, who kept the game tight until the third. The blend of star power and teamwork has the Capitals at 48 wins and 17 losses, atop the East.
Ovechkin’s mark on the NHL
Scoring 894 goals in 1,486 games is a feat few thought possible. Ovechkin hit the mark in one fewer game than Gretzky, who tallied his 894 in 1,487 over 20 seasons. The Russian’s consistency staggers: he’s led the NHL in goals nine times and notched 19 seasons with 30 or more, both records. Adapting across hockey eras—from the “dead puck” days to today’s faster game—sets him apart.
Ovechkin’s journey began October 5, 2005, with two goals in his debut against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Since then, he’s transformed the Capitals, delivering their first Stanley Cup in 2018 and becoming the franchise’s greatest icon. His physical style and lethal shot have redefined forwards in the league, inspiring a new wave of players. At 39, he’s averaging 0.66 goals per game this season, a testament to his enduring dominance.
Gretzky’s record, set on March 29, 1999, with the New York Rangers, once seemed untouchable. Yet Ovechkin’s pursuit gained steam after a fibula fracture sidelined him for 16 games between November and December. Since returning, he’s scored at a blistering pace, netting goals in four straight games leading up to the Blackhawks matchup.
Timeline of the record chase
Ovechkin’s path to 894 unfolded through key moments this season:
- October 23: Scores goal 855 against the Philadelphia Flyers, 39 shy of Gretzky.
- November 17: Nets a hat-trick against the Vegas Golden Knights, reaching 866.
- February 26: Hits 30 goals for the season against the Calgary Flames, his 884th career goal.
- April 1: Goal 891 against the Boston Bruins leaves him four short.
- April 4: Ties Gretzky with his 894th against the Chicago Blackhawks.
With six games left, Sunday’s clash with the Islanders could see him take the lead. The NHL is planning a special ceremony for when the record falls, regardless of playoff implications, highlighting its monumental significance.
Gretzky and the league react
Wayne Gretzky didn’t hide his admiration. Attending his first game of Ovechkin’s chase, he praised the challenge of scoring in any era and said he’d be the first to congratulate the Russian when the record breaks. Gretzky, with four Stanley Cups and 1,963 assists alongside his 894 goals, brought gravitas to Washington, joined by Bettman, underscoring the moment’s historic heft.
The league is all in too. ESPN and TNT Sports launched the “OviCast,” a dedicated feed tracking Ovechkin with an isolated camera for the Capitals’ remaining games. The “GR8 Chase for Victory Over Cancer” campaign ties each of his goals to donations for pediatric cancer research, matching his career total, amplifying his impact off the ice.
Next up: the Islanders showdown
After the 5-3 win over the Blackhawks, attention shifts to Sunday. The road game against the New York Islanders offers Ovechkin his next shot at surpassing Gretzky. The Capitals, riding five wins in six games, face a playoff-hungry Islanders squad with a stout defense led by Ilya Sorokin. Ovechkin, in top form with four straight scoring games, will look to crack that wall.
The Islanders won’t roll over. Battling for postseason positioning, they’ll lean on Sorokin to stifle Ovechkin’s booming shot. Yet, with 57 career empty-net goals—another record—the Russian has a knack for finding openings. The matchup promises intensity on both ends.
Ovechkin vs. Gretzky: fun facts
The friendly rivalry between the NHL’s top goal scorers offers intriguing contrasts:
- Ovechkin leads with 314 power-play goals, dwarfing Gretzky’s 204.
- Gretzky scored 73 shorthanded, while Ovechkin has just 6.
- Ovechkin is the only player with three 40-goal seasons after age 35.
- Gretzky hit 894 in 1,479 active games; Ovechkin took 1,486.
- Both share nine seasons with 50 or more goals, a record tie.
Their styles—Gretzky’s playmaking finesse versus Ovechkin’s raw power—fuel endless debate about the greatest goal scorer ever.
A legacy still growing
Breaking Gretzky’s record is more than numbers for Ovechkin. With a 2018 Stanley Cup, three Hart Trophies as MVP, and nine Rocket Richard awards for leading the league in goals, he’s already a legend. His off-ice impact, from cancer charity to swimming in a fountain after the Cup win, adds charm. The record, when it falls, will cap an epic career.
The Blackhawks game, decided at the 14-minute mark of the third, showed Ovechkin’s fire still burns. Whether it’s Sunday or later, the hockey world waits for the moment he claims the title of NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer—a mark once thought unbreakable until he came along.
The night of April 4 will go down in hockey history. At 13:46 of the third period, Alex Ovechkin, captain of the Washington Capitals, fired a precise shot on a power play against the Chicago Blackhawks, scoring his 894th career goal and tying Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL record. The scoreboard, locked at 3-3 until that moment, shifted as Ovechkin’s goal sealed a 5-3 victory for the Capitals in a thrilling matchup at Capital One Arena in Washington. With Gretzky himself in the stands, the milestone sparked a deafening celebration, with chants of “Ovi! Ovi!” ringing out as the star skated laps, soaking in the crowd’s roar.
Ovechkin wasted no time making his presence felt. Less than four minutes into the game, he opened the scoring with his 893rd goal, taking a pinpoint pass from Dylan Strome behind the net and banking the puck off goaltender Spencer Knight’s back into the goal. The early 1-0 lead set the tone for a special night, with fans already buzzing about the looming record. The arena erupted as Ovechkin’s personal goal song, “Shake, Rattle & Roll” by Big Joe Turner, blared, and mascot Slapshot flipped the goal counter from 892 to 893.
The Capitals’ 5-3 win solidified their lead in the Eastern Conference, boasting 48 victories in 74 regular-season games. Ovechkin’s goal at the 14-minute mark of the third not only matched Gretzky’s record but also stood as the game-winner—his 136th, surpassing Jaromir Jagr for the most in NHL history. With six games left, Ovechkin’s next chance to break the record comes Sunday against the New York Islanders.
Key moments of the game in minutes
- 3:52 of the first period: Ovechkin scores his 893rd goal, assisted by Dylan Strome, taking a 1-0 lead.
- 9:17 of the first period: Nick Foligno ties it at 1-1 for Chicago.
- 4:23 of the second period: Connor Bedard puts the Blackhawks ahead 2-1.
- 12:58 of the second period: John Carlson levels the score at 2-2 with a long-range shot.
- 13:46 of the third period: Ovechkin’s 894th goal on a power play turns the game to 4-3, tying Gretzky.
He’s the greatest to ever do it. What an unforgettable night. https://t.co/BofODDscca
— John Walton (@JohnWaltonPxP) April 5, 2025
Ovechkin’s chase for the record
Alex Ovechkin stepped onto the ice Friday night with one mission: catch Wayne Gretzky. At 39 years old and in his 20th NHL season, the Capitals captain proved age hasn’t dulled his edge. His first goal, at 3:52, marked his 242nd career first-period tally, overtaking Gretzky in that category too. The accuracy of his shot and quick decision-making underscored the skill that’s delivered 40 goals this season—his 14th time hitting that mark, a league record.
The record-tying goal came at a pivotal moment. With the score knotted at 3-3, a power play gave the Capitals the edge, and Ovechkin delivered. Stationed in his signature “office” at the left circle, he unleashed a one-timer past Knight, clinching the win and sending the crowd into a frenzy. He celebrated with laps around the ice and blew kisses to his family in a suite, while the arena screens played a montage of his journey to 894.
Gretzky’s presence added extra weight to the night. The legend, who’d held the record solo since March 23, 1994, watched from the stands for the first time in Ovechkin’s chase. During the first intermission, he admitted feeling proud to witness the moment and jokingly said he nearly left after the early goal, fearing Ovechkin might score three in the first period alone.
A night of high emotion in Washington
Capital One Arena buzzed with anticipation from the start. Sold out and hosting icons like Gretzky and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, the game against the Blackhawks transcended a typical regular-season clash. Every Ovechkin touch drew gasps and cheers, and his two goals pushed the atmosphere to rare heights of euphoria. The 5-3 win almost felt secondary to the historic milestone, but it showcased the Capitals’ strength at a critical juncture.
The team effort shone through too. Dylan Strome notched two assists, pivotal in both Ovechkin goals, while John Carlson added a goal and an assist. Goaltender Charlie Lindgren made 27 saves, holding off Chicago’s push led by Connor Bedard and Nick Foligno, who kept the game tight until the third. The blend of star power and teamwork has the Capitals at 48 wins and 17 losses, atop the East.
Ovechkin’s mark on the NHL
Scoring 894 goals in 1,486 games is a feat few thought possible. Ovechkin hit the mark in one fewer game than Gretzky, who tallied his 894 in 1,487 over 20 seasons. The Russian’s consistency staggers: he’s led the NHL in goals nine times and notched 19 seasons with 30 or more, both records. Adapting across hockey eras—from the “dead puck” days to today’s faster game—sets him apart.
Ovechkin’s journey began October 5, 2005, with two goals in his debut against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Since then, he’s transformed the Capitals, delivering their first Stanley Cup in 2018 and becoming the franchise’s greatest icon. His physical style and lethal shot have redefined forwards in the league, inspiring a new wave of players. At 39, he’s averaging 0.66 goals per game this season, a testament to his enduring dominance.
Gretzky’s record, set on March 29, 1999, with the New York Rangers, once seemed untouchable. Yet Ovechkin’s pursuit gained steam after a fibula fracture sidelined him for 16 games between November and December. Since returning, he’s scored at a blistering pace, netting goals in four straight games leading up to the Blackhawks matchup.
Timeline of the record chase
Ovechkin’s path to 894 unfolded through key moments this season:
- October 23: Scores goal 855 against the Philadelphia Flyers, 39 shy of Gretzky.
- November 17: Nets a hat-trick against the Vegas Golden Knights, reaching 866.
- February 26: Hits 30 goals for the season against the Calgary Flames, his 884th career goal.
- April 1: Goal 891 against the Boston Bruins leaves him four short.
- April 4: Ties Gretzky with his 894th against the Chicago Blackhawks.
With six games left, Sunday’s clash with the Islanders could see him take the lead. The NHL is planning a special ceremony for when the record falls, regardless of playoff implications, highlighting its monumental significance.
Gretzky and the league react
Wayne Gretzky didn’t hide his admiration. Attending his first game of Ovechkin’s chase, he praised the challenge of scoring in any era and said he’d be the first to congratulate the Russian when the record breaks. Gretzky, with four Stanley Cups and 1,963 assists alongside his 894 goals, brought gravitas to Washington, joined by Bettman, underscoring the moment’s historic heft.
The league is all in too. ESPN and TNT Sports launched the “OviCast,” a dedicated feed tracking Ovechkin with an isolated camera for the Capitals’ remaining games. The “GR8 Chase for Victory Over Cancer” campaign ties each of his goals to donations for pediatric cancer research, matching his career total, amplifying his impact off the ice.
Next up: the Islanders showdown
After the 5-3 win over the Blackhawks, attention shifts to Sunday. The road game against the New York Islanders offers Ovechkin his next shot at surpassing Gretzky. The Capitals, riding five wins in six games, face a playoff-hungry Islanders squad with a stout defense led by Ilya Sorokin. Ovechkin, in top form with four straight scoring games, will look to crack that wall.
The Islanders won’t roll over. Battling for postseason positioning, they’ll lean on Sorokin to stifle Ovechkin’s booming shot. Yet, with 57 career empty-net goals—another record—the Russian has a knack for finding openings. The matchup promises intensity on both ends.
Ovechkin vs. Gretzky: fun facts
The friendly rivalry between the NHL’s top goal scorers offers intriguing contrasts:
- Ovechkin leads with 314 power-play goals, dwarfing Gretzky’s 204.
- Gretzky scored 73 shorthanded, while Ovechkin has just 6.
- Ovechkin is the only player with three 40-goal seasons after age 35.
- Gretzky hit 894 in 1,479 active games; Ovechkin took 1,486.
- Both share nine seasons with 50 or more goals, a record tie.
Their styles—Gretzky’s playmaking finesse versus Ovechkin’s raw power—fuel endless debate about the greatest goal scorer ever.
A legacy still growing
Breaking Gretzky’s record is more than numbers for Ovechkin. With a 2018 Stanley Cup, three Hart Trophies as MVP, and nine Rocket Richard awards for leading the league in goals, he’s already a legend. His off-ice impact, from cancer charity to swimming in a fountain after the Cup win, adds charm. The record, when it falls, will cap an epic career.
The Blackhawks game, decided at the 14-minute mark of the third, showed Ovechkin’s fire still burns. Whether it’s Sunday or later, the hockey world waits for the moment he claims the title of NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer—a mark once thought unbreakable until he came along.
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