Alex Ovechkin Joins Wayne Gretzky in Elite NHL Goal-Scoring Club

Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin reached a historic milestone on Sunday, March 22, 2026, becoming just the second player in NHL history to score 1,000 career goals, including both regular season and playoff games. He joins Wayne Gretzky in this exclusive club, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest goal scorers in hockey history.

A Historic Feat

Ovechkin, 40, achieved this feat with a power-play goal in the third period against the Colorado Avalanche, tying the game at 2-2 with 5:43 remaining in regulation. While the Avalanche ultimately won 3-2 in overtime, the moment was a celebration of Ovechkin’s remarkable career. The New York Times reported on the significance of this achievement.

Breaking Records and Building a Legacy

This milestone comes after Ovechkin previously surpassed Gretzky for the most regular-season goals in NHL history on April 6, 2025, with his 895th goal. Yahoo Sports highlighted this progression of breaking records.

Ovechkin’s Career Statistics

Through 70 games this season, Ovechkin has 26 goals and 27 assists in his 21st NHL season – all with the Washington Capitals, who selected him as the No. 1 overall pick in 2004. His career totals stand at 923 regular-season goals and 77 playoff goals, for a combined 1,000 goals. He has accumulated 1,676 points (923 goals, 753 assists) in 1,562 regular-season games and 147 points (77 goals, 70 assists) in 161 playoff games. Fansided provided a detailed look at his career accomplishments.

Accolades and Achievements

Ovechkin’s illustrious career includes numerous accolades, including three Hart Memorial Trophy wins as league MVP, 12 All-Star selections, and a Stanley Cup championship with Washington in the 2017-18 season.

Looking Ahead

With 11 games remaining in the regular season, the Capitals are five points out of the Eastern Conference wild-card race. Ovechkin trails Gretzky by 16 goals for the all-time combined regular season and playoff goal lead (Gretzky has 1,016). His future with the Capitals remains uncertain, as his contract expires at the end of the season, and no extension has been signed to date. He has previously expressed a desire to finish his career with Dynamo Moscow, his boyhood club.