Wayne Gretzky celebrated Alex Ovechkin’s record-setting goal like just another Washington Capitals and NHL fan at UBS Arena. There wasn’t a single person who didn’t smile after Ovi made history—not even ‘The Great One,’ whose name he surpassed on the all-time scoring list. As the two great goalscorers met on the ice, Gretzky issued a bold message to Ovechkin.
April 6, 2025, is a date Alex Ovechkin will never forget. The Russian goal machine etched his name in solitude at the top of the NHL’s all-time goalscoring list. With no one in sight to threaten his reign, Ovechkin can now stand on a pedestal few envisioned him ever reaching—and one he may never be knocked off.
Of course, one can never say never. Gretzky never thought he’d be dethroned, and Ovechkin never believed he’d be the one to claim that title—yet it happened. Ovechkin shouldn’t rest on his laurels; instead, the Capitals‘ legend now faces a unique opportunity to extend his lead even further, setting his goals record at an unfathomable distance from the rest of the league.
On that note, Gretzky issued a big challenge for ‘Ovi’ calling him to keep his streak running, and reach heights no one ever grazed in the NHL.
Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates after scoring his 895th career goal during the second period against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on April 06, 2025 in Elmont, New York. Ovechkin’s goal passes Wayne Gretzky’s 894 goals to become the NHL all-time goal-scoring leader.
“Get to 900,” Wayne Gretzky told Alex Ovechkin during the height of the 895th goal celebrations at UBS Arena. “That was the best thing that ever happened to hockey.”
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Five goals away
“I will try,” Ovechkin told Gretzky after the Oilers’ legend pushed him to chase the 900-mark. With five games remaining in the regular season for the Caps, Ovi will need to score one goal per game to hit the mark no player has ever reached in NHL history.
However, Ovechkin may not play in some of the final games in the regular season if the Capitals secure their place as the number one seed in the East. Regardless, if Ovechkin doesn’t play in all five games or simply doesn’t score five more goals this season, he’ll definitely reach that milestone during the 2025-26 season.
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Next season could be his last in the NHL, as his contract with Washington comes to an end, and the 39-year-old has previously stated he isn’t convinced about signing a new contract in the league. Instead, he could probably return back home to Russia and play for his hometown team, Dynamo Moscow, where he played during the lockout seasons.
