Wayne Gretzky holds more records than we have time to discuss. However, one of the main ones that seemed destined to last forever has been broken. This afternoon versus the New York Islanders, Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals has scored his 895th career goal, making him the NHL’s all-time goals leader. (As a side note and props to 99, his 50 in 39 still seems unattainable). In typical Ovechkin style, it was a hard shot from the top of his off-wing circle. Furthermore, a note for the history buffs, Ilya Sorokin will go down as the goaltender of record. It was the first time Ovi scored on his fellow Russian, in this their seventh-career meeting.
History. Alex Ovechkin breaks the goal scoring record with number 895 pic.twitter.com/iVF8ClvCrI
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Alex Ovechkin Scores Goal Number 895
The history-making goal came in Ovechkin’s 1487th game. Moreover, Ovechkin entered the season with a reasonable opportunity to pass Gretzky. However, a November injury sidelined the Washington captain for a few weeks. This put Ovechkin setting the record this season in some jeopardy. However, the captain returned and picked up right where he left off. This goal is the 42nd of the season for Ovi.
Now, he stands alone on the all-time goals mountain. There is no one left above him. The once unreachable star has been reached.
The legend of Ovechkin never ceases to amaze. Such as his insistence of not being sent out with the empty-net on the night he notched 893 and 894.
The Great 8
Ovechkin’s entrance into the league came as a dark time was ending. The lockout that canceled the 2004-05 NHL season had ended. Ovechkin’s 2005-06 rookie season was also the rookie season of a player who would become Ovi’s rival, Sidney Crosby.
Ovi’s first game in the NHL was an early indicator of what his career would entail. Playing against Pascal Leclaire and the Columbus Blue Jackets, Ovi scored two goals in a 3-2 win. The “Great 8” would score 52 goals his rookie season and win the Calder Trophy.
Goals by Season
To score 895 goals, one must score a lot. Here are Ovi‘s goal totals by season. Any goal totals in bold indicate seasons where Ovechkin led the league in goals.
- 2005-06- 52 goals
- 2006-07 – 46 goals
- 2007-08- 65 goals
- 2008-09- 56 goals
- 2009-10- 50 goals
- 2010-11- 32 goals
- 2011-12- 38 goals
- 2012-13 (48-game season)- 32 goals
- 2013-14- 51 goals
- 2014-15- 53 goals
- 2015-16- 50 goals
- 2016-17- 33 goals
- 2017-18- 49 goals
- 2018-19- 51 goals
- 2019-2020 (COVID-shortened season)- 48 goals
- 2020-21 (COVID-shortened season)- 24 goals
- 2021-22- 50 goals
- 2022-23- 42 goals
- 2023-24- 31 goals
- 2024-25- 42 goals
Had it not been for two seasons shortened by Covid-19 and a lockout, Ovechkin would have beaten the record before now. Regardless, the record is now broken. That is all that matters.
In addition, for some players, a 30-35 goal season would be great. For Ovi, it was an indicator of a struggling season. He has been that good in his career.
Accolades
In addition to scoring many goals, Ovechkin accumulated many awards throughout his career:
- Calder Trophy in 2006
- NHL All-Rookie Team in 2006
- NHL First All-Star Team in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2015, and 2019
- NHL All-Star in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023
- Art Ross Trophy in 2008
- Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020
- Hart Memorial Trophy in 2008, 2009, and 2013
- Conn Smythe Trophy in 2018
The 2017-18 season provided Ovechkin with the moment he, and many Caps fans, had been dreaming about. The Capitals defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in five games to win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. The image of Ovechkin celebrating as the final horn sounded is one that many fans remember fondly. At long last, the “Great 8” was a Stanley Cup Champion.
The NHL’s New Top-10 in All-Time Goals
Now Ovechkin sits atop the mountain, we shall look at the top ten in all-time goals. (Ovi is also the only active player shown below).
- Alex Ovechkin- 895
- Wayne Gretzky- 894
- Gordie Howe– 801
- Jaromir Jagr– 766
- Brett Hull– 741
- Marcel Dionne– 731
- Phil Esposito– 717
- Mike Gartner– 708
- Mark Messier– 694
- Steve Yzerman– 692
Congratulations, Ovi! The “Great 8” has passed the “Great One.”
Main Photo: Geoff Burke- Imagn Images
The post The Gr8 Chase is Over as Alex Ovechkin Scores Goal 895 appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.