Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin made history Friday night, scoring two goals at home to tie Wayne Gretzky’s record of 894 with The Great One in the house.
Ovechkin tried his hardest in the 5-3 win to make it 895, but Chicago Blackhawks goalie Spencer Knight stopped him. The Capitals captain will have to wait until Sunday afternoon at the New York Islanders to be alone at the top.
Ovechkin tied Gretzky’s mark in one less game. He also set records for game-winning and first-period goals in the victory.
‘It’s fun. I’m sure like everybody enjoys this moment because it’s something special,’ he told Monumental Sports Network after the game. ‘Doing it (at) home in front of fans, family, friends, obviously Wayne’s here as well. It’s a huge honor, it’s a historical moment. Its great.’
Gretzky’s goal record was thought to be unmatchable when he retired in 1999. Ovechkin was playing in Russia at the time, but the 2004 No. 1 overall pick scored twice in his 2005 NHL debut and now has tied the Hall of Famer with another two-goal game.
‘It means a lot, to be honest I don’t know what to say,’ Ovechkin said. ‘Right now I’m so emotional. You never felt like you can reach this milestone. I always said that without all my teammates, all my partners, you guys, obviously my family, my mom, my wife, they support (me).’
Highlights from Friday’s record-tying game by Ovechkin:
Alex Ovechkin vs. New York Islanders
If Alex Ovechkin scores at the Islanders on Sunday (12:30 p.m. ET, TNT, truTV) to break Wayne Gretzky’s record, there would be some symmetry. Gretzky scored his final goal in March 1999 against the Islanders. And Ovechkin and Gretzky will have played the same number of games, 1,487. Ovechkin has 44 goals in 71 career regular-season games against the Islanders.
What Wayne Gretzky said
Monumental Sports Network spoke with the Hockey Hall of Famer shortly after Ovechkin matched his record with a power-play goal in the third period.
‘Wayne, you’ve got some company now,’ Monumental Sports Network’s Al Koken said.
”That’s OK,’ Gretzky said. ‘That’s what my dad told Gordie Howe way back when, right? This is what the game’s all about. Alex has been great for the game and great for Washington, great for his own country.
‘It’s wonderful. I’m very proud of him. I’m proud of what I accomplished and, you know what? That’s what makes our game so wonderful, is the great athletes we have and more importantly the good people that they are.’
What Capitals owner Ted Leonsis said
Capitals owner Ted Leonsis posted on X about Alex Ovechkin’s accomplishment.
‘Loyal, consistent, dependable, and the definition of class… Alex has tied a record very few people believed would ever be broken. DC believed in him all along, and @ovi8 has delivered.’
Alex Ovechkin’s stats
Alex Ovechkin, who now shares the goal-scoring lead with Wayne Gretzky, finished Friday’s game with two goals on three shots.
Final score: Capitals 5, Blackhawks 3
Alex Ovechkin ends the game at 894 goals to tie Wayne Gretzky’s record. Though Spencer Knight stopped his bid for a 895th, Ovechkin ends up with the 154th game-winner to break the record he shared with Jaromir Jagr and also set the record with 242 first-period goals.
Another chance for Alex Ovechkin
Spencer Knight makes a save. Then he makes another and is booed.
Capitals-Blackhawks score: Ryan Leonard gets first goal
Ryan Leonard scores into the empty net for his first NHL goal. Capitals 5, Blackhawks 3
Chicago pulls goalie
No Alex Ovechkin on the ice yet.
Another chance for Alex Ovechkin
He’s in all alone on Spencer Knight and tries stickhandling for a shot but runs out of room.
Another record in sight?
If the Capitals don’t give up another goal, Alex Ovechkin would get the game-winner and break the record he shares with Jaromir Jagr (135).
Alex Ovechkin high-fives his son after goal
Alex Ovechkin gave a high-five to son Sergei after the goal.
Capitals-Blackhawks score: Alex Ovechkin ties Wayne Gretzky
He scores from his office in the left faceoff circle. He ties Wayne Gretzky at 894 in one less game. Teammates come onto the ice to congratulate him and he waves to the cheering crowd. Capitals 4, Blackhawks 3
Capitals back on power play
Connor Bedard is calling for holding.
Capitals-Blackhawks score: Washington ties it up
Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy puts the puck in his own net while trying to keep away from Alex Ovechkin. Dylan Strome gets credit for the goal. Capitals 3, Blackhawks 3
Capitals on power play
Pat Maroon in the penalty box.
Third period underway
Blackhawks lead 3-2.
Alex Ovechkin stats
He has one goal on one shot through two periods, plus three missed shots, in 12:49 of ice time.
End of second: Blackhawks 3, Capitals 2
Alex Ovechkin makes a good move to get open for a shot late in the period, but it goes wide after the puck rolls on him. Blackhawks are opportunistic in that period, scoring 10 seconds after a power play and 10 seconds after a Capitals goal.
Capitals on power play
Frank Nazar in penalty box for slashing. Ovechkin has 323 power-play goals. Ovechkin gets a couple looks but doesn’t get a shot on net. Power play ends.
Capitals-Blackhawks score: Chicago goes back ahead
Tie game doesn’t last long. Philipp Kurashev drives home a rebound 10 seconds after Washington’s goal. Blackhawks 3, Capitals 2
Capitals-Blackhawks score: Washington ties it up
Connor McMichael makes a great move and his shot goes behind Spencer Knight. Martin Fehervary knocks it home. Capitals 2, Blackhawks 2
Capitals-Blackhawks score: Chicago goes ahead
The Capitals kill off the remaining 21 seconds of the Chicago power play, but Frank Nazar scores 10 seconds later. Blackhawks 2, Capitals 1
Second period underway
Tied 1-1. Blackhawks have short power play.
Alex Ovechkin describes his goal
Alex Ovechkin, talking to Monumental Sports Network, praised the work of John Carlson and Dylan Strome in setting up his goal. ‘It was a good flat pass (from Strome) and I got lucky. It hit the post and went in.’
He says he feels the buzz in the building: ‘Wayne’s here, so it’s a special moment.’
Alex Ovechkin’s stats
Alex Ovechkin has one goal on one shot. He played 5:03 in the first period.
End of first period: Capitals, Blackhawks 1
In addition to the Alex Ovechkin watch, the Capitals are trying to end a slide of four losses in five games. They’re pinned early in their zone, but Ovechkin scores his 40th goal of the season and 893rd of his career. Tyler Bertuzzi ties it about 10 minutes later. The Capitals will be short-handed for 21 seconds at the start of the second period.
Blackhawks go on power play
Ryan Leonard is called for high-sticking. He and the Capitals can’t believe the call. It’s the former Boston College star’s first penalty in his third NHL game.
Capitals-Blackhawks score: Tyler Bertuzzi ties it up
Tyler Bertuzzi scores at 13:52 and it’s a tie game. Capitals 1, Blackhawks 1
Wayne Gretzky in the house
The Great One is sitting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. There will be a brief ceremony whenever Alex Ovechkin breaks the record. He’s acknowledged by the Capitals and receives cheers from the crowd.
Alex Ovechkin scores 893rd goal
He’s stationed in the right faceoff circle. Dylan Strome feeds Ovechkin for a goal at 3:52. That’s 14 40-goal seasons for Ovechkin, adding to his record. He needs two goals to pass Wayne Gretzky and he passes Gretzky for most first-period goals (242).
Alex Ovechkin’s linemates
Alex Ovechkin starts with Dylan Strome and Tom Wilson. He had been with Wilson and Pierre-Luc Dubois the past two games.
Game underway
Alex Ovechkin needs one goal for 40 this season, two to tie Wayne Gretzky’s record and three to break the record.
When is Alex Ovechkin’s next game? Capitals vs. Blackhawks start time
The Washington Capitals play the Chicago Blackhawks at 7 p.m. ET Friday at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
Where to watch Capitals vs. Blackhawks game
The Capitals vs. Blackhawks game is being aired on NHL Network.
How to stream Capitals vs. Blackhawks game
Fubo and Sling carry NHL Network. Fubo is offering a free trial to new subscribers.
Stream Capitals vs. Blackhawks on Fubo (free trial)
Capitals vs. Blackhawks date, start time, where to watch
Game Day: Friday, April 4, 2025
Game Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: Capital One Arena (Washington, D.C.)
TV Channel: NHL Network
Live Stream: Fubo | Sling TV | ESPN+
Capitals honor players from 2018 Stanley Cup team
Devante Smith-Pelley, Brooks Orpik, Braden Holtby, T.J. Oshie and Nicklas Backstrom are honored. The five are out there for the ceremonial puck drop between Alex Ovechkin and Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno.
Spencer Knight to start for Blackhawks
Goalie Spencer Knight is expected to start in net for Chicago. He’s one of the record 182 goalies that Ovechkin has scored on. He has given up two Ovechkin goals.
Capitals to be without goalie Logan Thompson
The Capitals won’t have goalie Logan Thompson for Friday’s game and Charlie Lindgren will start. Thompson suffered an upper-body injury in Wednesday’s game and didn’t come out for the second period.
‘He’s definitely going to miss a couple games and then we’ll go from there,’ coach Spencer Carbery told reporters.
Wayne Gretzky expected to be in arena
Wayne Gretzky is expected to follow the Capitals around so he can there for when Ovechkin breaks the record. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman already was at a Capitals game this week.
Alex Ovechkin vs. Wayne Gretzky stats
Games: Gretzky 1,487 | Ovechkin 1,485
Goals: Gretzky 894 | Ovechkin 892
Assists: Gretzky 1,963 | Ovechkin 724
Points: Gretzky 2,857 | Ovechkin 1,616
Alex Ovechkin goals vs. Blackhawks
Ovechkin has 15 goals in 25 career regular-season games against the Blackhawks. He missed the teams’ earlier meeting this season because of a fractured left fibula.