In a moment that will be forever etched in hockey lore, Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has joined the most exclusive club in NHL history. The Russian superstar netted his 900th career goal during Tuesday's clash with the New Jersey Devils, cementing his status as one of the game's all-time greats.
The historic moment arrived at 6:34 of the third period when Ovechkin unleashed his signature one-timer from the left faceoff circle, beating Devils goaltender Vitek Vanecek. The power-play marker sent Capital One Arena into a frenzy as teammates swarmed the 37-year-old winger in celebration.
Joining Hockey's Pantheon
With this monumental achievement, Ovechkin becomes only the third player in NHL history to reach the 900-goal plateau, placing him in the rarefied company of Wayne Gretzky (894) and Gordie Howe (801). The milestone further solidifies his pursuit of Gretzky's all-time record of 894 goals—a target that now appears increasingly within reach.
"It's a huge number," Ovechkin humbly acknowledged after the game. "It's the best company you can ever imagine. It's going to stay in history forever."
The Road to 900
Ovechkin's journey to 900 goals has been nothing short of spectacular:
- Scored goal number 800 on December 13, 2022
- Reached 894 goals to tie Gretzky earlier this season
- Now sits just 5 goals away from breaking the all-time record
- Averaging nearly 0.61 goals per game throughout his career
Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette marveled at his captain's consistency: "The numbers just keep adding up. It's incredible to watch. Every time he scores, it seems like it's another milestone."
What Comes Next?
With the 900-goal barrier now conquered, the hockey world turns its attention to the ultimate prize: Gretzky's seemingly untouchable record of 894 career goals. At his current pace, Ovechkin could potentially surpass the Great One before the season concludes, rewriting the NHL record books in the process.
The Capitals organization and hockey fans worldwide now witness history unfolding in real-time as Ovechkin continues his relentless march toward becoming the greatest goal-scorer the sport has ever seen.
