Alex Ovechkin became the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer on Sunday, surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s long-standing record with his 895th career goal. The milestone came during a game between the Washington Capitals and the New York Islanders at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., where Ovechkin scored the lone goal for the Capitals in a 4-1 defeat.

The historic goal was scored seven minutes into the second period on a power play. Ovechkin fired a shot from the top of the left circle—a spot known as his signature shooting location—beating Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin. The moment ignited the crowd, who enthusiastically chanted Ovechkin’s nickname, “Ovi,” as the veteran forward celebrated.

Ovechkin, who debuted in the NHL in the 2005 season, has built a remarkable career marked by consistent scoring and durability. Over two decades, he has established himself as one of hockey’s greatest goal scorers, blending skill and power to maintain elite performance. Following the goal, he described the achievement as an emotional and “crazy” night, acknowledging that it would take time to fully comprehend the significance of surpassing a record set by a legend like Gretzky.

Despite the Capitals losing the contest, the goal overshadowed the game’s outcome, with fans and teammates celebrating the breaking of one of the sport’s most revered records. In addition to this milestone, Ovechkin’s career includes a Stanley Cup championship and multiple individual honors, cementing his legacy in NHL history.

The goal-scoring record, previously held by Gretzky since 1994, has been regarded as one of hockey’s toughest benchmarks. Ovechkin’s achievement highlights his enduring impact on the game and solidifies his place among its all-time greats.