Alex Ovechkin has done what many thought impossible. The Washington Capitals star just became the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer, netting his 895th goal Sunday against the New York Islanders to pass Wayne Gretzky’s legendary mark.
It’s a milestone that took 25 years to break.
The 39-year-old Ovechkin did it in dramatic fashion, scoring on a power play in the second period. Gretzky himself was among the first to congratulate him.
With five games left this season, Ovechkin could hit 900 goals – and who knows, maybe even chase 1,000 if he keeps playing into his 40s.
But while Ovechkin just claimed hockey’s most prestigious scoring record, there are some NHL marks that might never be broken. Here’s a look at the seemingly untouchable ones:
Gretzky’s total points record looks absolutely safe. The Great One racked up 2,857 points (894 goals, 1,963 assists) in his career. The next closest? Jaromir Jagr with 1,921. Among active players, Sidney Crosby leads with 1,682.
Then there’s Gretzky’s mind-blowing 1981-82 season: 92 goals in 80 games. No player in this century has even hit 70. Auston Matthews came closest with 69 this year.
Want more crazy Gretzky numbers? In 1985-86, he dished out 163 assists and totaled 215 points in just 80 games. Those records aren’t going anywhere.
Some other seemingly unbreakable records:
• Darryl Sittler’s 10 points in a single game (1976)
• Teemu Selanne’s 76 goals as a rookie (1992-93)
• Bobby Orr’s 139 points in a season by a defenseman (1970-71)
• Glenn Hall’s 502 straight games in goal – without a mask!
• Martin Brodeur’s 691 career wins
• Henri Richard’s 11 Stanley Cup wins
What makes Ovechkin’s achievement even more remarkable is that he did it in an era when scoring is much harder than in Gretzky’s day. Modern goalies are bigger, better trained, and have way better equipment.
The question now: Who might be next to challenge Ovechkin’s new mark? It could be decades before we see anyone come close.
