But Ovechkin did not get the goal empty-net goal, with that honor instead going to rookie Ryan Leonard for his first NHL goal. That was not an accident, and it was very much by design. Ovechkin simply did not want his record-breaking goal to come without a goalie in the net.

Alex Ovechkin is one goal behind tying Wayne Gretzky's NHL record of 894 career goals. The Capitals superstar notched his 893rd career goal -- and his 40th goal of the 2024-25 season -- during the first period of Friday's game against the Chicago Blackhawks.

With his 894th career goal Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks, Ovechkin officially tied Wayne Gretzky's NHL all-time goals record, and whenever the Russian Machine finds the back of the net again, he'll be alone in owning the league record for most goals scored in a career.

Alex Ovechkin is the NHL's new goal-scoring king. The Washington Capitals left wing scored his 895th goal to surpass Wayne Gretzky for the most in NHL history against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on Sunday.

The crowd at UBS Arena was there on Sunday to witness history, and it erupted into raucous cheers for the goal that cut New York's lead over Ovechkin's Washington Capitals to 2-1. THE MOMENT ALEX OVECHKIN PASSED THE GREAT ONE 🐐 (via @NHL) pic.

The Athletic has live coverage of Alex Ovechkin’s journey to break Wayne Gretzky’s career goal record. WASHINGTON — Sometime soon — Sunday maybe, perhaps Thursday — Alex Ovechkin will reach the summit.

Alex Ovechkin has become the all-time leading goal scorer in NHL history, passing Wayne Gretzky with his 895th career goal for the Washington Capitals.

Alex Ovechkin scored in the second period against the Islanders Sunday, touching off a celebration after he broke Wayne Gretzky's NHL scoring record.

Russia's Alex Ovechkin becomes the National Hockey League's highest all-time scorer by hitting his 895th career goal to surpass the legendary Wayne Gretzky.