The hockey world just witnessed history, and it came off the stick of none other than Alexander Ovechkin.

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With a signature blast from the left circle—his trademark spot—the 39-year-old Washington Capitals legend scored his 895th NHL goal, officially passing Wayne Gretzky to become the greatest goal-scorer of all time.

The moment froze time. The arena crowd erupted into pandemonium. Cameras captured the raw emotion on Ovi’s face. And the announcers? “THE KING IS DEAD—LONG LIVE THE KING!” one of them shouted, his voice cracking with emotion.

Ovechkin skated to center ice, raised his stick, and pointed to the heavens. Then, in true Ovi fashion, he dropped to his knees and slid across the ice—pure joy, pure release.

Alexander Ovechkin - Wikipedia

Even Gretzky, watching from the broadcast booth, stood and applauded. “Records are meant to be broken,” he said. “And if anyone deserved it—it’s him.”

The NHL paused the game for a 10-minute ceremony. Players from both teams surrounded Ovechkin, giving stick taps as a montage of his greatest goals played overhead. Fans held up signs reading “GOAL GOD” and “FOREVER 8.”

Social media nearly imploded. Hockey Twitter lit up with reactions, tribute videos, and emotional posts from fans who’d watched Ovi’s career from day one. The Capitals announced they would build a statue immediately. Other teams sent congratulatory tweets. Even Tom Brady posted, calling Ovi “the GOAT of goals.”

But perhaps the most touching moment came in the locker room. A reporter asked Ovechkin what the record meant to him. He paused, looked at his teammates, and said, “I did it for them. For Russia. For my family. For every kid who dreams.”

Five random facts about Alexander Ovechkin - Heavy Hockey Network

A legend among legends, Ovechkin’s moment will be replayed forever—because on this night, hockey didn’t just witness a goal.

It witnessed greatness.