Alex Ovechkin scores aim #895 to interrupt Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL scoring document

For Alex Ovechkin, the aim in Sunday’s recreation got here similar to so many earlier than it did — on the facility play, from the highest of the left faceoff circle, a strong shot proper to the aim.

However this one was historical past. For the Washington Capitals star, this 895th aim of his common season profession makes him the NHL’s new all-time scoring chief after Wayne Gretzky, the “Nice One,” held the document for greater than 30 years.

After he scored, Ovechkin slid to the ice belly-first and shouted with delight as his teammates raced onto the ice in a joyous mob. And the gang — even at an away recreation in opposition to the New York Islanders — roared and chanted his title. 

The sport paused for greater than ten minutes for an official celebration as quickly as Ovechkin scored. Each benches emptied because the groups, Capitals and Islanders alike, lined as much as shake Ovechkin’s hand. And Gretzky joined Ovechkin on the ice, together with Ovechkin’s household and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, for a mid-game ceremony.

Washington’s recreation in opposition to the New York Islanders paused for a celebration as quickly as Ovechkin scored. Each benches emptied because the groups, Capitals and Islanders alike, lined as much as shake Ovechkin’s hand. And Gretzky joined Ovechkin on the ice, together with Ovechkin’s household and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, for a mid-game ceremony.

“I might let you know firsthand I understand how exhausting it’s to get to 894,” Gretzky stated. “895 is fairly particular.”

“They are saying data are made to be damaged, however I am undecided who’s going to get extra targets than that,” Gretzky joked.

Ovechkin’s chase for Gretzky’s document had come to be the headliner story of all the NHL season. Final Friday, he scored two targets to tie the document at residence in Washington. Afterward, costs for tickets to Sunday’s recreation in New York had soared to $1,000 or extra, as followers raced for the chance to see historical past.