Alex Ovechkin continues his historic journey in the NHL, setting yet another milestone in his chase to surpass Wayne Gretzky as the league’s all-time leading scorer. On Thursday night, Ovechkin not only secured a thrilling 1-0 overtime win for the Washington Capitals against the Ottawa Senators but also etched his name in the record books for scoring against the most goaltenders in NHL history.
A Historic Goal in Ottawa
The lone goal of the game, Ovechkin’s 874th career tally, came during overtime off a Rasmus Sandin pass. With this goal, he has now scored against 179 different goaltenders, surpassing the previous record held by Jaromír Jágr. “It’s pretty cool,” Ovechkin commented. “When you play 20 years – if you have chances to – you’ll take it.”
This remarkable accomplishment adds to his growing list of NHL records. Ovechkin also extended his own record of 27 overtime game-winning goals, further cementing his reputation as one of hockey’s clutch performers.
Closing in on Gretzky’s Record
With his 874 career goals, Ovechkin needs just 21 more to break Wayne Gretzky’s longstanding record of 894. Remarkably, he is on track to achieve this milestone this season, having already netted 21 goals in 29 games in the 2024-25 campaign. If he maintains his current scoring pace and stays healthy, he could surpass Gretzky’s record in fewer games than the hockey legend’s 1,487 appearances.
Ovechkin’s journey to greatness has been nothing short of extraordinary. Despite suffering a broken fibula in November and missing 16 games, he quickly returned to form, scoring four goals in his first five games back. His determination and resilience have made him a symbol of consistency and excellence in the sport.
Joining the Ranks of Gordie Howe
Ovechkin reached another historic milestone this season by becoming only the second player in NHL history, after Gordie Howe, to record 20 goals in 20 consecutive seasons. This achievement underscores his longevity and unwavering performance over two decades in the league.
A Legend in the Making
Thursday’s goal wasn’t just another number on the scoreboard; it was a testament to Ovechkin’s instinct, skill, and vision on the ice. Reflecting on the play, he explained, “I knew I should take a shot as soon as I can because I knew [Leevi Meriläinen] may be thinking I’m going to pass it back to Sandy. And it was a good one, and it goes in the net, so I’ll take it.”
The Road Ahead
As Ovechkin edges closer to breaking Gretzky’s record, hockey fans around the world are witnessing history in the making. His relentless drive and unmatched scoring ability have solidified his place as one of the greatest players of all time.
“Records are meant to be broken,” Ovechkin often says, and his determination to etch his name atop the all-time scoring list proves he is far from done rewriting the NHL’s history books.