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Alex Ovechkin tied Wayne Gretzky with most goals scored in NHL history, scoring his 894th career goal in the third term of the Washington Capitals’ home game against the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night.
Ovi’s second game, record goal, gave the Caps a 4-3 lead and remained in 13:47 regulations. They won 5-3 after Ryan Leonard scored in the empty net for the first goal of his career.
The Capitals players stayed on the ice after the match to celebrate with the stars, as fans chanted “Ovi! Ovi! Ovi!”
The pursuit of Ovechkin’s career goal record — following on Sunday when the capital competes against New York Islanders — is known as “The Gr8 Chase.”
Ovechkin reached 894 goals in his 1,486th game. Greetzky finished with 894 with 1,487 games.
Gretzky was in the building with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to witness a historic moment by 39-year-old Ovechkin.
Gretzky has held a scoring record since 1994, tallying his 802nd goal to pass Detroit Red Wings legend Gordie Howe. Gretzky, who played primarily for the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings, scored his 894th goal on March 29, 1999, as a member of the New York Rangers. He retired three weeks later at the age of 38, closing his historic 20-year NHL career.
His goal record has since scored 766 goals before Jaromir Jagr retired in 2018 and 741 goals before closing his 19-year career in 2006.
Then came Ovechkin, who was first selected overall in the 2004 draft, then scored 52 goals as a rookie, including two, in his debut on October 5, 2005.
It was nearly 20 years ago, 892 years ago.
Ovechkin scored his career-leading 65 goals in his third season from 2007 to 2008. He recorded nine goal seasons of over 50, matching records shared by Gretzky and New York Islander legend Mike Bosui. He scored over 40 goals in the season, breaking Gretzky’s 12 record.
Along the way, Ovechkin scored most goals of the season, three Heart Trophy, earning nine Rocket Richard Trophy as the most valuable players, and the first in Capitals’ franchise history to win the 2017 Stanley Cup.
Ovechkin entered his 20th NHL season in October, requiring 42 goals, leading the record once thought to be unbreakable. He missed 16 games with his left fibre earlier this season, pushing up a record-breaking pursuit until the end of the season.
Ovechkin scored 893 in under four minutes of Friday’s game, setting the stage for a record goal in front of Washington fans.
He currently shares the league’s sacred goal record with the sport’s most respected players.
“Alex was an exception for our game,” Gretzky told CNBC earlier this season. “I think I was the first guy to wave his hand when he broke the record.”
Below are five things you need to know about the Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin.
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