Ovechkin Becomes First Player in NHL History to Reach 900 Goals

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Washington D.C. – November 5, 2025 – In a moment that will forever be etched in hockey lore, Alexander Ovechkin cemented his status as the greatest goal-scorer in NHL history by netting his 900th career goal on Wednesday night. The Washington Capitals captain achieved the unprecedented feat during a dominant 6-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues at the Capital One Arena, becoming the first and only player to ever reach the 900-goal plateau.

The Milestone Moment

At 2:39 of the second period, the monumental goal arrived. Lurking near the bottom of the right circle, the 40-year-old Russian phenom backhanded a rebound past Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington. The eruption from the crowd, the immediate clearing of the Capitals’ bench, and the flashing red goal light signaled that history had been made.

In a moment that encapsulated the game’s competitive spirit, Binnington reportedly attempted to secure the milestone puck by tucking it into his goalie pants, though a linesman recovered it for Ovechkin

“Of course, it’s a huge number, no one ever did it in NHL history and to be the first player to ever do it, it’s a special moment,” Ovechkin stated post-game. “It’s nice it’s over to get it in the homestand so the fans, my family can be here. It’s pretty cool.”

A Career Defined by the Net

Ovechkin’s journey to 900 goals is a testament to relentless consistency and an almost superhuman ability to find the back of the net, season after season. This milestone comes after he surpassed Wayne Gretzky’s long-standing record of 894 goals back in April.

Milestone Goal	Date Achieved	Game Number
100th	Oct. 12, 2007	167
500th	Jan. 10, 2016	801
800th	Dec. 13, 2022	1,305
900th	Nov. 5, 2025	1,504

The goal against St. Louis also marked his 138th career game-winning goal, further adding to his NHL record in that category.

Bouncing Back with a Bang

The significance of the goal was amplified by the context of the Capitals’ recent performance. Washington entered the game snapping a four-game losing streak (0-3-1), and Ovechkin himself had been held without a point in the four preceding games. The 6-1 victory served as a much-needed momentum swing, sparked by their captain.

As Ovechkin plays in his 21st NHL campaign, the conversation now inevitably turns to the next impossible milestone: 1,000 goals. While only time will tell if the Great Eight can reach that mark, the achievement of 900 guarantees his legacy is unchallengeable as the NHL’s most prolific goal-scorer.