Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is honored for passing Wayne Gretzky. (Geoff Burke — Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/6423afec-903a-4f30-b7a4-dedbad6401eb.jpeg] Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is honored for passing Wayne Gretzky. (Geoff Burke — Imagn Images) Alex Ovechkin watched in wonder as his bid on the power play soared past Ilya Sorokin. Then, he screamed, making a beeline for center ice and diving onto his stomach in celebration. The Washington Capitals captain had done it, scoring his 895th career NHL goal to pass Wayne Gretzky as the NHL's all-time goals leader. From there, the game stopped as his teammates mauled him at center ice and the coaching staff embraced one another from the bench. What else do you do when you achieve greatness? His teammates were given commemorative hats for the milestone, and his family, along with Wayne Gretzky and commissioner Gary Bettman, made their way down to ice level for an on-ice ceremony. All the while, the New York Islanders lined up to shake Ovechkin's hand. Alex Ovechkin hits 895. Video from Stefen Rosner for The Hockey News. "It's a history!" Ovechkin said to the crowd after his goal at UBS Arena, thanking his family, friends and even Sorokin, the 183rd goaltender he's scored on in NHL history. Gretzky and Bettman spoke on the achievement, and Ovechkin also received a commemorative portrait and gifts. "Wayne, you'll always be the 'Great One' and you had a record that nobody ever thought would be broken," Bettman said. But Alex, you did it. You've been amazing." Said Gretzky: "895 is very special, and I congratulate you, not only Alex but his mom and dad, his family, his wife and kids. "They say records are made to be broken, but I'm not sure who's going to get more goals than that. " The game started back up after about 22 minutes. Ovechkin's goal was the lone one for D.C. in an eventual 4-1 loss.
