On the afternoon of April 6, 2025 a new NHL goal scoring leader emerged. His name is Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals captain overtook Wayne Gretzky's record by scoring his 895th goal.
With the season beginning for the Caps this Wednesday night against the Boston Bruins, Ovechkin's goal total now sits at 897. He just needs three for the big 900, something many in hockey thought was impossible until Ovi climbed atop the NHL goal scoring ladder with more than 40 points every year of his 20 year career.
Glancing at the Caps early schedule, they have one more preseason game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, if you're reading on this fine Saturday afternoon. If Ovechkin scores tonight it won't count on the stat sheets but it counts in our hearts and we'll cheer just as loud.
It all counts starting Wednesday night when the Caps face the Bruins at Capital One Arena on Oct. 8. Then on Oct. 11 and 12 the Caps are in New York for two nights. First the Islanders on Saturday night, then the Rangers on Sunday night.
The Caps are then back home Tuesday Oct. 14 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, then on Friday Oct. 17 they host the Minnesota Wild. Sunday Oct. 19 they host the Vancouver Canucks.
897. Three more. He could reach it within those five games. Heck, he could reach it on Opening Night with a hat trick in front of a national TV audience with the game on TNT. That's the first of a league leading 18 nationally televised games for the Caps this season.
What I predict is that goal number 900 comes in Game Two, against the New York Islanders - fitting as goal 895 was also on Long Island home ice. I could see Ovi having a two goal game opening night and then netting that 900th at the very same arena he passed Wayne Gretzky for the most goals of all time.
Either way, brace yourselves to celebrate another milestone for our captain very soon.