He scored No. 894 with a one-timer on the power play at 6:13 of the third period to give Washington a 4-3 lead. The goal stood up as the game-winner, making Ovechkin the NHL’s all-time leader in game-winning goals with 136. He was tied with Jaromir Jagr.
“Alex has been so great for the city of Washington,” Gretzky said after the game. “He’s been so great for the National Hockey League. And he’s encouraged so many kids in his home country of Russia to play the sport of hockey. He’s been nothing but a champion and I’m so proud that we’re tied. I can live with that for 24 more hours. I can still say I’m tied for the most.”
Ovechkin waved and bowed to Gretzky when he scored his 894th.
“Wayne texted me before the game,” Ovechkin said. “He said, ‘Score three.’ Yeah. It’s a special moment. It’s great for hockey. It’s great for D.C. It’s great for all our fans to do it here in Washington. It’s fun. It’s fun. It’s always a pleasure to be in that category with those names. Thank you, Wayne, for your support, for your kindness. It’s great.”
Gretzky marvels at Ovechkin’s consistency, especially the fact that his first goal Friday was his 40th of the season, extending his NHL record for most 40-goal seasons to 14.
Gretzky had at least 40 goals in each of his first 12 seasons, but didn’t do so after. His last 40-goal season came in 1990-91, when he was 30 years old. Ovechkin is the first player in NHL history with at least three 40-goal seasons at the age of 35 or older. He also scored 50 in 2021-22 and 42 in 2022-23.
