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Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin Ties Wayne Gretzky’s NHL Record with 894 Career Goals

Alex Ovechkin has officially tied Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record of 894 career goals, reaching the milestone in his 1,486th game—one game faster than Gretzky, who accomplished it in 1,487 games. The 39-year-old Ovechkin has fired nearly 7,000 shots on net over the course of his 20 NHL seasons to tie the all-time goals record.

He scored twice in the Washington Capitals’ 5–3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night, bringing his career total to 894. Ovechkin scored just 3:52 into the first period with a one-timer from the right circle, beating Chicago goalie Spencer Knight for goal No. 893. He scored again at 6:14 in the third period to tie “The Great One” for goal No. 894.

Ovechkin had a chance to break the record on an empty-net opportunity late in the game but chose to pass up the shot, instead dishing the puck to rookie Ryan Leonard, who scored his first career goal. Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery said after the game that Ovechkin wants to break the record by scoring against a goaltender and have the record breaking moment shooting the puck past a goalie. 

Ovechkin has six more regular-season games to claim the record outright. His next chance comes Sunday, when the Capitals visit the New York Islanders at UBS Arena. After that, Washington returns home to face the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday.

With 41 goals in just 60 games this season, Ovechkin currently ranks third in the NHL in goals this season and now stands just one goal away from becoming the league’s all-time leading scorer.

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