Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin recorded his 1,000th career regular season and playoff goal on Sunday against the Colorado Avalanche, closing in on an NHL record set by Wayne Gretzky.
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin once again made history on Sunday, scoring his 1,000th career NHL regular season and Stanley Cup playoff goal, joining Wayne Gretzky as the only two players in NHL history to do so.
Ovechkin’s goal came in vintage Ovi-style, firing a one-timer on the power play from the left circle. The goal came with 5:43 remaining in the third period, tying their contest against the Colorado Avalanche at 2-2.
The celebration of the goal wasn’t quite as memorable as his celebration when he scored his 895th career regular season goal, passing Gretzky, but it’s an incredible milestone nonetheless.
Ovechkin’s 1,000th career goal was his 26th goal of the 2025-26 season. He recently recorded the 20th 25-goal season of his career, which also tied a record held by Gordie Howe.
The regular season and playoff split now puts the 40-year-old’s total at 923 regular season goals and 77 playoff goals.
Ovechkin trails Gretzky by 16 goals for the all-time combined regular season and playoff goal lead. With 11 games remaining on the schedule, Ovechkin may be running out of time to do so this season.
The Capitals, following their 3-2 overtime loss to the Avalanche, sit five points out of the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference and six points back of the Columbus Blue Jackets for third place in the Metropolitan Division. Additionally, three teams sit between the Capitals and the Detroit Red Wings for the final wild card spot.
If the Capitals don’t make the playoffs, there is a possibility that Ovechkin might be playing his final NHL games. His contract expires at the end of this season, and to date, the Capitals and Ovechkin have not signed an extension. The Russian sniper has previously stated that he wants to end his career with Dynamo Moscow, his boyhood club.
But no decision has been made just yet.
Whether he signs an extension or not, Ovechkin is a first ballot Hall of Famer, who, in the eyes of many, is one of the greatest players to ever play in the NHL. His recent accomplishment is further proof of his greatness.
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