Ovechkin scores twice to tie Gretzky's NHL goals record at 894 as the
Capitals beat the Blackhawks
[April 05, 2025]
By STEPHEN WHYNO
WASHINGTON (AP) — Alex Ovechkin tied Wayne Gretzky's
NHL record by scoring the 893rd and 894th of his career, the second
being the game winner, as the Washington Capitals rallied to beat the
Chicago Blackhawks 5-3 on Friday night. |
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrating his 894th
goal with teammates during the third period of an NHL hockey game
against the Chicago Blackhawks, Friday, April 4, 2025, in Washington.
(AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) |
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Ovechkin scored No. 894 on the power play with
13:47 left in regulation to put Washington ahead after Dylan
Strome tied it earlier in the third period. The 39-year-old
Russian superstar also opened the scoring with his 893rd less
than four minutes in.
It all came with Gretzky in attendance for the first time during
this chase. He should be there Sunday at the New York Islanders
when Ovechkin has his next chance to make hockey history.
Martin Fehervary also scored and Charlie Lindgren, playing
because No. 1 goaltender Logan Thompson is out with injury, made
19 saves to help the Eastern Conference and Metropolitan
Division-leading Capitals win for just the second time in six
games. Ryan Leonard scored his first career goal into an empty
net with 1:36 left to seal it.
Tyler Bertuzzi, Frank Nazar and Philipp Kurashev scored for the
last-place Blackhawks, and Spencer Knight allowed four goals on
28 shots.
Takeaways
Blackhawks: They're a young team and they play really hard, but
they were simply outmatched.
Capitals: The Capitals want to secure the top seed in the East,
but it's clear they want to get Ovechkin the record more than
anything. It feels like a matter of time.
Key moment
With the score tied in the third period, Ovechkin took a pass
from John Carlson and beat Knight for the go-ahead goal and his
record-setting 136th game-winning goal.
Key stat
Ovechkin reached 894 goals in his 1,486th game. Gretzky finished
with 894 in 1,487 games.
Up next
Ovechkin goes for 895 Sunday at the New York Islanders, with the
Blackhawks hosting Pittsburgh.
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