Ovechkin Edges Closer to Gretzky’s Record with 886th Goal
On a memorable Sunday at Capital One Arena, Alex Ovechkin marked another milestone in his illustrious career by scoring his 886th career goal, bringing him just nine goals shy of Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record. The 39-year-old Russian forward netted the empty-netter with 1:29 left in the third period, securing the Washington Capitals’ 4-2 victory over the Seattle Kraken and extending their winning streak to four games.
The crowd was electrified as the red, white, and blue goal counter flipped from 885 to 886, and fans chanted, "Ovi! Ovi!" Ovechkin’s goal was not just a testament to his unrelenting skill but also a reflection of his unparalleled ability to find the back of the net even when the odds seem stacked against him. Linemate Dylan Strome was full of praise, noting, "He’s still getting a couple of looks here and there, but he’s finding ways to score. It’s what he’s done his whole career and especially this year. He’s getting to the right areas."
A Skilled and Historic Play
Ovechkin’s eighth empty-netter of the season, and his 65th career, solidifies his status as the all-time leader in such goals. This particular goal, executed with a deft backhand through a defender’s leg, was a masterclass in skill and precision. Strome marveled at the play, saying, "It’s still a pretty skilled play to go backhand through a guy’s leg or stick and find a way to score that. Nine more." The goal was a perfect encapsulation of Ovechkin’s career: consistently finding ways to score and adding to his already legendary status.
A Decade of Dominance
With this goal, Ovechkin also reached the 1,600-point mark in his two-decade career, making him the 11th player to achieve this milestone and the second active player after Sidney Crosby. Ovechkin’s consistency and longevity are nothing short of astonishing. Coach Spencer Carbery emphasized Ovechkin’s indomitable spirit, stating, "What I’ve learned with ‘O’ is you never underestimate — or even when he’s off a little bit and it doesn’t look great or his line is struggling or whatever it might be, then it just takes one moment. We win a hockey game and he’s got another goal, another one down."
The Greatest Goal Scorer of All Time
The once-unchallenged record of 894 goals set by Wayne Gretzky now seems within reach, and many believe Ovechkin will not only break it but also cement his place as the greatest goal scorer of all time. Kraken coach Dan Bylsma, who has seen Ovechkin in action during his tenure with the Pittsburgh Penguins, remarked, "We all thought it was an unreachable mark at some point in time. Ovechkin has been scoring 50 goals (a season) for an awful long time now. The number is what the number is, but I think what Alex has done is he’s going to be the greatest goal scorer of all time. He shows no signs of stopping, so it’s just a matter of time now that he will … officially take the mark as the greatest goal scorer of all time."
A Tale for the Ages
Longtime teammate John Carlson, who assisted on Connor McMichael’s go-ahead goal, described the final stages of Ovechkin’s pursuit as "going to be a movie," and more specifically a documentary. The narrative of Ovechkin’s journey to break the record is as compelling as it is historic. When asked about potentially assisting on the 895th goal, Carlson joked, "I think that’s up to him, who he wants in the documentary."
A Legacy in the Making
As Ovechkin continues to defy the odds and rewrite the record books, his legacy grows with each passing game. The 39-year-old forward is not just chasing a number; he is redefining what it means to be a goal scorer in the NHL. His relentless pursuit of excellence and his unwavering dedication to his craft inspire fans, teammates, and opponents alike. Whether it is through a backhand from center ice or a precise shot from the slot, Ovechkin ensures that every game is a potential chapter in his epic story.
