Alex Ovechkin and Wayne Gretzky are on even footing. For now.
The Washington Capitals star scored the 893rd and 894th goals of his career on Friday night against Chicago matching Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL record. He has six games left to break a record two-and-a-half decades old.
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The Capitals star got his first goal of the night on a one-timer with assists from Dylan Strome and John Carlson (video above). The record-tying one came in the third period, breaking a 3-3 tie.
Ovechkin caught Gretzky with one fewer game played, hitting 894 in 1,486 games against Gretzky’s 1,487. However, Gretzky scored his 894th goal in his 1,479th game.
Gretzky spoke highly of Ovechkin in an interview after the record-tying goal, calling him “great for the game, great for Washington, great for his own country.”
As fun as tying the record with two goals was, everyone in the crowd, Gretzky included, wanted to see Ovechkin break the record with a hat trick. He most certainly had his moments, with several shots on goal in the last couple minutes. Chicago goalie Spencer Knight did not oblige, prompting boos from the Capital One Arena crowd.
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However, he did refuse a chance to break the record late in the game, as he declined to enter the ice after Chicago pulled its goalie. He has no intention of breaking the record on an empty net.
Ovechkin did become the all-time leader in game-winning goals, though, as his 136th broke a tie with Jaromir Jagr for most all-time. Gretzky retired with 91.
Ovechkin will get his next chance to break the all-time goals record Sunday at a road game against the New York Islanders. His next opportunity to break it at home will be next Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Ovechkin’s first goal was his 40th of the season, making it the 14th 40-goal campaign of his 20-year NHL career. He’s currently third in goals scored this season and will likely come up short in his bid for a 10th Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy. Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers leads the NHL with 52 scores.
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Ovechkin is also the first player in NHL history to notch 40 goals three different times after turning 35. He has recorded as many 40-goal seasons in his 30s as he did in his 20s.
The Eastern Conference-leading Capitals have six games to play in the regular season. Now that Ovechkin is in striking distance of Gretzky’s record, “The Great One” has begun accompanying NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to every Capitals game until the record is broken.
Ovechkin ranks third on the NHL goals leaderboard despite playing at least nine fewer games than every other player in the top 10. He broke his fibula in November, which forced him to miss nearly five weeks and created significant doubt he could break the record this season. Since his return, the 39-year-old has been on a tear, with 25 goals and 17 assists in 42 games.
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He still has a year left on his Capitals contract and is unlikely to remain with the team after that. Even if he goes scoreless for the rest of the season, it’s still a matter of “when” and not “if” he breaks the record. But to do so at the end of the season, for a team battling for the Presidents’ Trophy, is about as great an environment as fans of the “Great Eight” could hope for.
Capitals remaining schedule
Sun, Apr 6: at Islanders, 12:30 p.m. ET
Thu, Apr 10: vs. Carolina, 7:30 p.m. ET
Sat, Apr 12: at Columbus, 7 p.m. ET
Sun, Apr 13: vs. Columbus, 6 p.m. ET
Tue, Apr 15: at Islanders, 8 p.m. ET
Thu, Apr 17: at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m. ET
1. Wayne Gretzky (894)
1. Alex Ovechkin (894)
3. Gordie Howe (801)
4. Jaromir Jagr (766)
5. Brett Hull (741)
6. Marcel Dionne (731)
7. Phil Esposito (717)
8. Mike Gartner (708)
9. Mark Messier (694)
10. Steve Yzerman (692)
