The Capitals star was forced to deal with some adversity over the past two seasons that may have delayed reaching Gretzky's all-time mark. In 2023-24, Ovechkin had what can be cat

Alex Ovechkin's pursuit of Wayne Gretzky's NHL goals record became the talk of the league a time of the season usually reserved only for playoff races

When Ovechkin broke the record in the second period, the game stopped. Officials rolled out a carpet onto the ice, and Ovechkin’s family along with NHL officials and Ted Leonsis, the owner of the Capitals came to the center of the rink.

Gretzky, back then at least, was more than a hockey player to Canadians. He was homegrown royalty, a player of such quality, of such rare possibility, that he transcended the game we’ve always used to define ourselves.

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.

Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin scored his 895th career National Hockey League goal on Sunday to break the hallowed all-time record of Wayne Gretzky that was once considered unbeatable.

A little more than three decades before Alex Ovechkin's pursuit of Wayne Gretzky's NHL career goals record, the “Great One” had his own chase. Gretzky was in hot pursuit of Gordie Howe's record in the spring of 1994.

While the tally itself was awesome, of course, so was the call from local broadcaster Joe Beninati of Monumental Sports Network. A longtime sportscaster, Joe B delivered an incredible call of Ovechkin's record-breaking goal.