Ovechkin Becomes Second Player in History to Reach 1,000 Overall Goals
Written By Gina Anton
Wayne Gretzky’s long-standing hold on hockey’s most exclusive statistical benchmarks is no longer a theoretical chase, as Alex Ovechkin has officially joined him in one of the sport’s rarest clubs.
Alex Ovechkin reached the 1,000-goal milestone (combining regular season and playoff scoring) on Sunday with a power-play goal in the third period against the Colorado Avalanche, a moment that tied the game and ultimately marked a historic individual achievement despite a 3–2 overtime loss for the Washington Capitals.
With the goal, Ovechkin became just the second player in NHL history to reach 1,000 total goals, joining Wayne Gretzky, who finished his career with 1,016 combined goals (894 regular-season, 122 playoff).
The milestone came on a familiar play for Ovechkin, stationed in his trademark left circle “office” on the power play, where he unleashed a one-timer that beat Colorado goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood late in regulation.
“It’s always nice to reach something, and it was an important goal as well,” Ovechkin said after the game.
Ovechkin’s combined total is built on 923 regular-season goals and 77 playoff goals, underscoring both his sustained scoring consistency and his postseason contributions over a 21-season NHL career, all with Washington since being drafted first overall in 2004.
The achievement further cements Ovechkin’s place in hockey history. Beyond becoming the NHL’s all-time regular-season goals leader in 2025, he now stands alongside Gretzky in a category that blends regular-season production with playoff performance, widely viewed as a more complete measure of a player’s scoring legacy.
“Ever since I was a kid watching the NHL, he was one of my idols, and I don't take a day for granted playing with him,” Capitals forward Connor McMichael said. “Every milestone that goes by, it seems like they just get cooler and cooler.”
While Gretzky still holds the overall combined record at 1,016, Ovechkin now sits just 16 goals away from surpassing that mark, adding another layer of intrigue to a career that continues to redefine longevity and elite scoring in the modern NHL.
