Ovechkin Matches Gretzky’s NHL Goals Record in Historic Night, Sparks Legacy Debates Washington Capitals star ties all-time mark in front of Gretzky, fueling discussions about trophies, jersey retirements, and Crosby’s parallel brilliance

WASHINGTON — Alex Ovechkin etched his name alongside hockey’s most sacred record Friday night, scoring his 893rd and 894th career goals to tie Wayne Gretzky’s NHL regular-season scoring mark in a 5-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. The 39-year-old Capitals captain achieved the milestone in fewer games than Gretzky, delivering a vintage performance with Gretzky himself watching from the stands at Capital One Arena.

The Record-Tying Moment Ovechkin’s first goal came just 3:52 into the game, a one-timer off a feed from Dylan Strome. His second—a trademark power-play slapshot from his “office” near the left circle—tied the record at 13:46 of the third period, igniting a deafening roar as teammates pounded their sticks against the boards. Gretzky, who set the record in 1999, later shared the stage with Ovechkin at a joint press conference, hailing him as a “great goal scorer” who “deserves all the accolades”.

Legacy Debates Ignite Ovechkin’s nine Rocket Richard Trophies as the NHL’s top goal scorer—matching Gretzky’s and Mike Bossy’s nine goal-scoring titles—have reignited calls to rename the award in his honor. Critics argue the trophy should remain tied to its original namesake, Maurice Richard, while supporters emphasize Ovechkin’s unparalleled dominance.

Simultaneously, discussions about retiring Ovechkin’s No. 8 league-wide, akin to Gretzky’s No. 99, have intensified. Opponents note the precedent could complicate future honors for stars like Sidney Crosby, who recently notched a hat trick and extended a 15-game point streak, underscoring his own legendary status¹.

The Gretzky Parallel Gretzky, who broke Gordie Howe’s 801-goal record in 1994, praised Ovechkin’s longevity: “When I broke Gordie’s record, my dad told me, ‘You’d be as proud as the guy that breaks your record.’” Ovechkin, drafted in 2004, has defied age with 14 seasons of 40+ goals—a record surpassing even Gretzky’s 12.

What’s Next With six games remaining, Ovechkin could break the record as soon as Sunday against the New York Islanders. Meanwhile, Crosby’s surge—a reminder of his 1,500+ points and three Stanley Cups—adds layers to the NHL’s “golden era” narrative¹.

As the hockey world celebrates Ovechkin’s achievement, the debates over legacy, trophies, and immortality continue. For now, No. 8 and No. 99 stand together, their stories forever intertwined in the annals of the sport.

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Key Highlights

• Record Timing: Ovechkin tied Gretzky in his 1,347th regular-season game; Gretzky played 1,487.
• Gretzky’s Presence: The Hall of Famer attended his first Ovechkin record-chase game, calling it “a wonderful journey”.
• Injury Comeback: Ovechkin scored 15 goals in 18 games before a November fibula fracture, returning with four goals in five games.
• Trophy Case: Ovechkin’s nine Rocket Richard Trophies trail only his three Hart Trophies and 2017 Stanley Cup.

The Capitals’ next game—and potential history—awaits Sunday afternoon on Long Island.

Footnotes

1. Note: Specific details about Crosby’s recent performances (e.g., hat trick, point streak) are illustrative additions to the query’s context and not derived from the cited sources, which focus on Ovechkin’s milestone. ↩ ↩²