Ovechkin, Capitals Finish off Record Breaking Season

By: Sam Wilmeth

Over the span of 1,487 games, Wayne Gretzky scored 894 career goals and proved himself to be one of greatest hockey players of all time. His record of 894 goals secured his spot as the greatest goal scorer the NHL had ever seen, and it was a statistic that was near impossible for any future player to reach.

I say near impossible, because on April 6, Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals scored his 895th goal during his 1,487th game in the NHL.

It was an awe-inspiring moment in the middle of an excellent season for the Capitals, but Ovechkin did not go without hardship during his chase to break the record.

Coming off of the 2023-2024 NHL season, it was unclear what was in store for the captain and team as a whole. Ovechkin went through an uncharacteristic goal scoring slump, and only began to put up numbers towards the end of the regular season. In the playoffs, the Capitals did not look any better, getting swept in the first year, putting an end to a disappointing season.

The Capitals went into the 2024-2025 season looking for something better, and that is what they found. They finished the season second in the league, and for Ovechkin, the season was more than just a success for the team. The 20-year veteran found personal accomplishment in the form of the NHL’s goal scoring record. Across 65 games, Ovechkin scored 44 goals and brought his career goal count up to 897—three ahead of Gretzky’s previous record.

“From the moment Alex Ovechkin stepped onto the ice, he has been an overwhelming force,” said Joe Beninati, the Capital’s television play-by-play announcer. “He has given his all to this city, his team and for the game. He has made an immeasurable impact on the sport in the region, starting at the grassroots level. He’s inspired countless young boys and girls to play and fall in love with this game and, with 895 goals. he’s broken a record that many believed would never be touched.”

The record is significant for the team and for hockey as a whole. Ovechkin chased Gretzky’s record the entire time he was in the NHL. Through injuries and difficult seasons, Ovechkin’s push for greatness eventually defined his career. Fans and players alike witnessed an unbeatable record dethroned in modern hockey.

“It’s pretty incredible,” said Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews. “Just the will to score and the consistency and kind of everything that goes into it, it’s been fun to watch. … It’s hard to put into perspective just how many goals that really is.”

Ovechkin received similar sentiments from other players in the league, many collectively agreeing that they may never see the record broken in their time. Despite their doubt, experts believe players like Matthews could come up as contenders for breaking the record further down the line.

Needless to say, it is an exciting time to be a fan of hockey.

And even more so for Capitals fans. The Capitals won their series against the Montreal Canadiens in round one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and are facing off against the Carolina Hurricanes right now. Their playoff run will be one of their last with Ovechkin as captain, and the Capitals are looking for a shot at the Cup to finish off a record-breaking season.

Regardless of the result of the playoffs, it seems unlikely that we will see such an exciting season for the team anytime soon. Ovechkin has always been destined to go down in Capitals history, and “the Great 8” has now undoubtedly etched his name among NHL legends.