Russian icon ties all-time NHL record

Alexander Ovechkin has scored twice to match hockey legend Wayne Gretzky’s number of goals

Russia’s Alexander Ovechkin reached another major National Hockey League milestone on Friday night when he scored his 894th career goal. The Washington Capitals forward’s second goal of the game tied the all-time record set by Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky — a feat once thought to be untouchable.

Ovechkin is a three-time world champion with the Russian national team and took home the 2018 Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals, which he has spent his entire NHL career with. Gretzky, considered the greatest hockey player of all time, needed 1,487 games to tally 894 goals. Ovechkin was able to match him in his 1,486th game.

The 39-year-old Russian opened the scoring with the 893rd goal of his career in the Capitals’ home game against the Chicago Blackhawks. He scored again in the third period to give his team a 4-3 lead, needing three goals to surpass Gretzky’s feat and two to tie it.

Gretzky himself was in attendance during the game. Ovechkin’s teammates mobbed the forward after the final horn sounded. Captain Nick Foligno led the Blackhawks in congratulating the Capitals legend before heading off the ice.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the game, Ovechkin thanked his Russian fan base for their overwhelming support.

“I would like to send greetings to everyone in Russia. Thank you all for your support! We’ll do everything we can to break the record,” Ovechkin said, adding that Gretzky had wished him luck prior to the game.