Hockey: THE GR8 CHASE – Ovechkin breaks Gretzky’s NHL goals record with No. 895

Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals scored his 895th NHL goal on Sunday, April 6 against the New York Islanders, passing Wayne Gretzky for the all-time record. We detailed the record-breaking goal and the previous 5 goals along with the corresponding one from Gretzky.

Goal No. 890

• ALEX OVECHKIN
• Date: March 30, 2025
• Site: Capital One Arena, Washington
• Opposing goalie:  James Reimer, Buffalo Sabres
• Time of goal: 9:11 of the third period

Summary: Ovechkin got position at the top of the crease between two defensemen and redirected Rasmus Sandin’s shot from the left point down between Reimer’s pads to cut Buffalo’s lead to 6-4.

• WAYNE GRETZKY
• Date: Dec. 2, 1998
• Site: Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, New York
• Opposing goalie:  Tommy Salo, New York Islanders
• Time of goal: 4:10 of the third period

Summary: Gretzky scored for the third straight game to help the New York Rangers extend their winning streak to three with a 3-2 victory against the rival Islanders. After Gretzky knocked the puck away from defenseman Scott Lachance on the forecheck high in the Islanders zone, Kevin Stevens pressured Lachance into turning the puck over to Gretzky along the left-wing boards. Gretzky cut into the slot before slipping a backhand in between Salo pads for his fifth goal of the season.

Goal No. 891

• ALEX OVECHKIN
• Date: April 1, 2025
• Site: TD Garden, Boston
• Opposing goalie: Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins
• Time of goal: 15:43 of the first period

Summary: With the Capitals on the power play, John Carlson sent a pass down low to Dylan Strome, who sent a one-touch backhand pass across the crease to Ovechkin, who scored into the open net to make it 2-0.

• WAYNE GRETZKY
• Date: December 16, 1998
• Site: Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey
• Opposing goalie: Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils
• Time of goal: 13:35 of the third period

Summary: Gretzky scored for the first time in six games and had two assists for the New York Rangers in a 6-3 loss to the Devils. His goal, which cut the deficit to 5-3, came on a breakaway. He was sent in alone by a pass from Niklas Sundstrom before beating Brodeur high to the glove side for his sixth goal of the season.

Goal No. 892

• ALEX OVECHKIN
• Date: April 2, 2025
• Site: Lenovo Center, Raleigh, North Carolina
• Opposing goalie: Frederik Andersen, Carolina Hurricanes
• Time of goal: 19:25 of the second period

Summary: With the Capitals on a 5-on-3, Ovechkin scored on a one-timer from the top of the left circle off a pass from Jakob Chychrun.

• WAYNE GRETZKY
• Date: Jan. 10, 1999
• Site: Madison Square Garden, New York
• Opposing goalie: Bill Ranford, Tampa Bay Lightning
• Time of goal: 14:21 of the third period

Summary: Gretzky ended a nine-game goal drought by scoring on the power play to help the New York Rangers defeat the Lightning 5-2. Gretzky dropped the puck to defenseman Brian Leetch on the rush for a slap shot from the right point that Ranford kicked out with his right pad to Gretzky in the left circle. Gretzky pulled the puck from his backhand to his forehand before shooting it in off the bottom of Ranford’s right arm to increase the Rangers’ lead to 5-1.

Goal No. 893

• ALEX OVECHKIN
• Date: April 4, 2025
• Site: Capital One Arena, Washington
• Opposing goalie: Spencer Knight, Chicago Blackhawks
• Time of goal: 3:52 of the first period

Summary: Ovechkin gave the Capitals a 1-0 lead with a one-timer from the bottom of the right circle off a pass from Dylan Strome, who was behind the net.

WAYNE GRETZKY

• Date: Feb. 4, 1999
• Site: Madison Square Garden, New York
• Opposing goalie: Garth Snow, Vancouver Canucks
• Time of goal: 16:21 of the second period

Summary: Gretzky had a goal and two assists in the New York Rangers’ 8-4 victory against the Canucks. He pushed the lead to 4-0 just as a Rangers power play expired, scoring with a quick shot glove side on Snow after Petr Nedved passed across to him in the right circle. It was Gretzky’s eighth goal of the season, ending a nine-game drought, and his 1,071st professional goal (NHL and World Hockey Association, regular season and playoffs), tying Gordie Howe’s record.

Goal No. 894

• ALEX OVECHKIN
• Date: April 4, 2025
• Site: Capital One Arena, Washington
• Opposing goalie: Spencer Knight, Chicago Blackhawks
• Time of goal: 6:14 of the third period

Summary: Ovechkin gave the Capitals a 4-3 lead with a power-play goal, beating Knight blocker side with a one-timer from the left circle.

• WAYNE GRETZKY
• Date: March 29, 1999
• Site: Madison Square Garden, New York
• Opposing goalie: Wade Flaherty, New York Islanders
• Time of goal: 17:53 of the third period

Summary: Gretzky broke a 1-1 tie with what proved to be the 91st and final game-winning goal of his career in the New York Rangers’ 3-1 victory. Brian Leetch took a slap shot from outside the blue line that Flaherty kicked into the right corner. Islanders center Trevor Linden collected the rebound there but was pressured by John MacLean and turned the puck over to Gretzky, who then cut in front. After Flaherty made a save with his left pad on the initial shot, Gretzky was able to bury his own rebound for his final NHL goal. It was also Gretzky’s 1,072nd professional goal — he scored 894 NHL regular-season goals, 122 Stanley Cup Playoff goals, 46 regular-season goals with the World Hockey Association, and 10 WHA playoff goals — breaking Gordie Howe’s record of 1,701.

Goal No. 895

• ALEX OVECHKIN
• Date: April 6, 2025
• Site: UBS Arena, Elmont, New York
• Opposing goalie: Ilya Sorokin, New York Islanders
• Time of goal: 7:26 of the second period

Summary: Ovechkin, shooting from “his office,” scored on the power play on a feed from Tom Wilson to pass Gretzky for the all-time record.

NHL/MS