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Ovechkin and Gretzky are now the Gr8 two, after tying the NHL goals record Friday night.
WASHINGTON — Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin tied Wayne Gretzky’s goal record of 894 Friday during the third period against the Chicago Blackhawks.
“The Great One” Gretzky had broken Gordie Howe’s record of 801 in 1994 and later added another 93 goals before he retired in 1999. Gretzky watched from the stands in Capital One Arena as Ovechkin tied his record Friday night.
The record-breaking season hit a snag after 39-year-old Ovechkin broke his leg, causing him to miss 16 games.
Ovechkin isn’t new to breaking records, he is currently tied for most game-winning goals with Jaromir Jagr. Additionally, Ovechkin became the 60th player to record 700 career assists this season, a record also held only by Gretzky, Gordie Howe, Jagr, Marcel Dionne and Phil Esposito.
How many goals does Alex Ovechkin currently need to break Gretzky’s record?
- Current goals: 894
- Gretzky’s record: 894
- Goals needed to break record: 1
- Games remaining in season: 6
- Recent performance: At the top of the first period, Ovechkin scored a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks, following assists from Dylan Strome and John Carlson. During the third period, Ovi tied Gretzky’s record.
Where does Ovechkin rank in the NHL’s top 10 in career goals?
1. Wayne Gretzky (894) & 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)
How did we get here?
Here are some highlights from the Great 8’s stellar career:
2005: Ovechkin made his NHL debut on Oct. 5, 2005. He scored two goals in that game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
2007-2008: Ovechkin won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy, awarded to the league’s top goal-scorer, for the first time. He posted a career-high 65-goal season. He has won the Rocket Richard Trophy an NHL-record nine times in his career.
2010: Ovechkin scored his 600th career point with an assist
2017: He became the first player in 100 years to open a season with back-to-back hat tricks
2018: Ovechkin and the Capitals win the Stanley Cup
2020: Ovie became the eighth player in NHL history to score 700 goals
2021: Ovechkin scored his 275th power play goal, breaking Dave Andreychuk’s all-time record.
2022: He scored his 800th goal against the Chicago Blackhawks, becoming just the third player in league history to reach that number.
2022: Ovechkin scored his 801st and 802nd career goals, passing Gordie Howe for the second-most goals in NHL history
2023: Ovechkin recorded his 1,500th career point on Dec. 7, 2023, becoming the 16th player to reach that mark in NHL history
