Washington Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin scored his 894th career goal on Friday, tying NHL legend Wayne Gretzky’s record for the most goals scored in league history.
Ovechkin netted the record-tying goal in the third period against the Chicago Blackhawks.
As the No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Ovechkin entered the league as a highly touted prospect and delivered on his promise to be an offensive force. In addition to tying Gretzky’s career mark, Ovechkin holds numerous other scoring records, including most power-play goals, most overtime goals and the most goals scored for a single team.
Ovechkin, who is currently third in the NHL in goals scored this season, has also won nine Maurice “Rocket” Richard trophies, the league’s award for the season’s top goal getter, most recently in 2020. He is also a three-time NHL MVP and led the Capitals to a Stanley Cup in 2018, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy that year.
Washington has not made it beyond the first round of the playoffs since winning the Cup, though this season the Capitals are first in the Eastern Conference and second in the NHL overall.
Ovechkin, 39, has been playing professionally since 2001. His contract with Washington runs through the 2025-26 season.
