A record that seemed like one of the most unbreakable in all of professional sports has been broken. While the Capitals may have lost 4-1 on Sunday in a matinee against the New York Islanders, the real story is the goal scored by their long-time captain and superstar forward Alexander Ovechkin about halfway through the second period.
In the same spot where Ovechkin has made his mark since 2005 — the left faceoff circle — he ripped a wrist shot past goaltender Ilya Sorokin for his 895th career lamp lighter.
Fans had been tracking Ovechkin’s progress for the last couple seasons, trying to predict how many goals he would need each year in order to achieve the feat. This was almost put to a major halt early in the season when Ovechkin fractured his leg.
The word on the street said Ovechkin would be lucky to return after a 6-10 week absence, but after just 40 days of rehab, the 39 year-old marched back from injury and went on an absolute tear.
The previous record had been held since March 1994, when consensus greatest hockey player of all time Wayne Gretzky scored goal No. 802, passing Gordie Howe to secure his place as the greatest goal scorer in the history of the game.
At the time, Howe was extremely receptive to Gretzky’s new record, shaking his hand and giving him all the praise in his moment to shine. This same sentiment was shared over three decades later, as Gretzky was the first one to congratulate Ovechkin after a victory dive on the ice.
“I can tell you first-hand, I know how hard it is to get to 894. 895 is pretty special,” Gretzky shared with Ovechkin. “My congratulations to not only Alex, his mom and dad, his family, his wife and kids.”
Not only did the hockey world share their congratulations for the surefire first-ballot hall of famer, but the whole globe chimed in on the achievement.
Athletes like Sue Bird, LeBron James, Tom Brady and more took to social media to celebrate the record. Even Russia’s president Vladimir Putin congratulated him on the accomplishment, calling it “outstanding.”
With the Capitals comfortably sitting at first place in the Metro division (49-19-9), expect more fireworks from the captain as the Stanley Cup Playoffs approach. Ovi already has 42 goals this season, good for third in the league and the most all-time by a 39 year-old player.
If Washington is able to make a deep playoff run, or even secure a second Stanley Cup title for their storied captain, this could go down as one of the greatest single seasons in any professional sport.
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