Alex Ovechkin is on the brink of all-time professional sports history.
Since 2005, the longtime Washington Capital has been putting the puck in the back of NHL nets at an elite pace. Now 39 years old, Ovechkin’s dominance on a season-by-season basis has put him on the cusp of making history as he is one goal away from breaking an NHL record that once seemed unbreakable: Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals mark.
Entering Sunday’s Capitals vs. Islanders matchup, Ovechkin is at 894 career goals — matching Gretzky’s historic total. With just one score against New York, Ovechkin would stand alone.
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Sunday’s game will be on the road for the Capitals, meaning Ovechkin will be in the New York spotlight as he chases history. The NHL’s regular season is winding down — Ovechkin has six opportunities left in 2024-25 to pass Gretzky — but given his strong pace as of late, the Capitals star certainly has a chance to become the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer against the Islanders.
The Sporting News is tracking live updates from the Capitals vs. Islanders matchup, where Ovechkin will continue his chase for the Gretzky’s all-time scoring record.
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Capitals vs. Islanders live score
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Did Alex Ovechkin score today?
- Goals:
- Assists:
- Points:
- Shots on goal:
Capitals vs. Islanders live updates, results, highlights from Alex Ovechkin goals record chase
This section will be updated closer to puck drop at 12:30 p.m. ET.
10:30 a.m.: Alex Ovechkin is in the building, ready to make history. The Capitals sensation arrives at the UBS Arena on Long Island with a chance at scoring record goal No. 895.
Ovi is IN THE BUILDING with a chance at history 📍
Does he score 895 today? pic.twitter.com/MwFqqITQNx
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 6, 2025
Capitals vs. Islanders start time
- Date: Sunday, April 6
- Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
Washington and New York will go head-to-head at 12:30 p.m. ET on Sunday. The game will be in UBS Arena in New York.
MORE ALEX OVECHKIN NEWS
How to watch Alex Ovechkin goals chase today
- TV channels: TNT, truTV
- Live stream: Max, Sling
Sunday’s matchup between the Capitals and Islanders will be broadcast nationally on TNT and truTV. Cord-cutters can find all the action on Max or Sling.
Washington Capitals schedule 2025
Washington has six games remaining in its regular season. Three of those matchups will be at Capital One Arena, where Ovechkin could break the record in front of his home crowd.
| Date | Matchup | Time (ET) |
| April 6 | at Islanders | 12:30 p.m. |
| April 10 | vs. Hurricanes | 7:30 p.m. |
| April 12 | at Blue Jackets | 7 p.m. |
| April 13 | vs. Blue Jackets | 6 p.m. |
| April 15 | at Islanders | 8 p.m. |
| April 17 | at Penguins | 7 p.m. |
Most goals scored in NHL history
Entering Sunday’s game, Ovechkin sits just one goal shy of Gretzky’s all-time goals mark. He’s two away from holding the record.
| Rank | Player | Goals |
| 1 | Wayne Gretzky | 894 |
| 1 | Alex Ovechkin | 894 |
| 3 | Gordie Howe | 801 |
| 4 | Jaromir Jagr | 766 |
| 5 | Brett Hull | 741 |
| 6 | Marcel Dionne | 731 |
| 7 | Phil Esposito | 717 |
| 8 | Mike Gartner | 708 |
| 9 | Mark Messier | 694 |
| 10 | Steve Yzerman | 692 |
Alex Ovechkin season stats 2024-25
Ovechkin came into the 2024-25 season, his age 39 campaign, needing 41 goals to tie Gretzky and 42 scores to pass him on the all-time scoring list.
Through 60 games played this season, he’s within just a few goals. In November, Ovechkin suffered a fractured left fibula, but later returned to the ice to continue his chase for history. Ovechkin’s strong scoring pace through March has put him within reach of Gretzky’s record.
Even with his missed time due to injury, Ovechkin’s 40 goals scored rank third in the NHL entering Sunday’s game.
| GP | GOALS | G/GP | ASSISTS | POINTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | 41 | 0.68 | 27 | 68 |
Alex Ovechkin goals count
Thanks to his goals against the Blackhawks on April 4, Ovechkin is now up to 41 goals on the 2024-25 season, just one short of sole-possession of the record. As the regular season winds down, he’s on pace for about 44 scores before the end of the season.
How close is Alex Ovechkin to breaking Wayne Gretzky’s goals record?
Ovechkin is one goal away from breaking Gretzky’s all-time scoring record. His recent scoring pace should allow him to break the record before the end of the Capitals’ regular season, but he still has some work to do in his pursuit.
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