Alex Ovechkin becomes NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer, surpassing Gretzky

Alex Ovechkin has become the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer, surpassing Wayne Gretzky with his 895th career goal during Sunday’s game against the New York Islanders. The historic power play goal came in his 1,487th game, matching Gretzky’s career total.

Alex Ovechkin has officially etched his name into NHL history as the league’s all-time leading goal scorer.

The 39-year-old surpassed Wayne Gretzky’s long-standing record of 894 goals by netting his 895th during the second period of the Washington Capitals' game against the New York Islanders on Sunday in Elmont, New York.

Ovechkin scored on a power play, firing a wrist shot past fellow Russian goaltender Ilya Sorokin. The moment was witnessed by his family and Wayne Gretzky himself at UBS Arena.

The goal marked Ovechkin’s 42nd of the season, placing him third in the league’s scoring chart as the Capitals trailed 2–1.

The game paused briefly to honour Ovechkin’s historic achievement with an on-ice ceremony.

Remarkably, Ovechkin broke the record in his 1,487th game—the same number Gretzky played over his 21-year career.

Now in his 20th NHL season, Ovechkin boasts nine 50-goal campaigns, including a career-high 65 goals in 2007–08. He has been named to 12 All-Star Games, earned the league MVP title three times, and was recognised in 2017 as one of the 100 greatest players in NHL history.

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