The Washington Capitals player ranked 895th against the New York Islanders, becoming the NHL’s all-time scoring leader.

Alexander Ovechkin became the leading goal-scorer in the NHL history when he broke the tie on Wayne Gretzky’s rankings, scoring his 895th career goal in the second phase of the Washington Capitals, on New York Island on New York Island.

“They said the record was broken,” Gretzky said at a Sunday ice ceremony. “But I’m not sure who will get more goals.”

Marc Gatcomb collected the first two-goal game of his career, while Bo Horvat and Jean-Gabriel Pageau also scored for the Islanders, who won their second straight game.

Goalkeeper Ilya Sorokin stopped 28 shots in 29 strokes, with players outside of each game (except Ovechkin) stopping New York, who scored five points behind the Montreal Canadiens in the final Universal Card game at the Eastern Conference.

Charlie Lindgren recorded 18 saves for the Eastern Conference-leading Capital, who lost seven.

But Sunday’s story is Ovechkin, who completed his pursuit of Gretzky in the proper way and added another NHL record with his 325th power goal.

The sold-out crowd was 17,250, with thousands of people adorning the capital’s uniforms – and he hit the ice after islander Casey Cizikas tripped for seven minutes in the second phase.

The TV timeout allowed the establishment of expectations before Ovechkin, skating along the left side of the ice, taking the pass from long-time teammate Tom Wilson and firing a shot from the confrontation circle, navigating from Sorokin’s block.

Ovechkin raised his arms and slid over a few steps, making belly on the ice as the crowd roared. He collected record goals in his 1,487th professional game – Gretzky played the same number of NHL games.

“We’ve all witnessed history,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.

The capital, led by John Carlson, was bolted for Ovechkin and besieged him backwards as the scoreboard showed a graphic read: “895 NHL NHL goal leader Alex Ovechkin”.

Celebrating a scoring milestone

A video montage of Ovechkin’s milestone goal aired, with a blue carpet rolled onto the ice next to a commemorative painting commemorating the “Great 8” that lifted the Stanley Cup in 2018.

The scoreboard tribute ends with news from his wife Anastasia, their two children and Ovechkin’s mother Tatyana. His family joined him on the Centre Ice during the commemorative celebrations.

The island stayed on the ice, knocked on the stick, and then Ovechkin exchanged handshakes with the skaters and hugged Netminder Ilya Sorokin. Later, he hugged New York coach Patrick Roy, who had held the NHL record of all-time victory.

After Bettman and Gretzky spoke, Gretzky and his wife Janet presented gifts to Ovechkin’s wife. When Gretzky surpassed Howe in 1994, Gordie Howe’s wife gave Janet a gift.

Ovechkin hugged and kissed his family, then adorned with a “895” microphone.

“One day, right?” Ovickin said.

The milestone goal ended Overchkin’s impressive sprint. He turned 39 in September and has scored 42 goals this season, despite a broken leg for nearly six weeks. Ovechkin has scored 32 goals in his last 45 games, including at least one of the first five games.

Ovechkin’s historical goal ended Gretzky’s 31-year reign as the NHL leading goalkeeper and probably began his same long term in history.

Sidney Crosby, 37, entered the league with Ovechkin in 2005, second only to Ovechkin among active players, with 622 goals on Sunday.