March 20, 2025, 07:58 PM ET
WASHINGTON – Alex Ovechkin is one step closer to NHL history after “The Great 8” reached the number worthy of pursuing Wayne Gretzky’s career goal record.
Ovechkin scored the 888th goal on Thursday night, helping the Washington Capitals win 3-2 with the Philadelphia Flyers to win the playoff berth.
“We have a big goal again,” goaltender Charlie Lindgren said. “OVI credits: Another big goal and another goal from the mark.”
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With just five minutes left in the first period, Puck attacked his linemate Ali Accey Protas in front of him, who handed it over to Ovechkin. The 39-year-old defeated Samuel Arson on the 35th goal of the season. This is the fourth tier in the league.
“It was a great play,” Ovechkin said. “Take it and move on.”
Confetti flew off as a mascot slap shot turned the goal counter from 887 to 888 at the corner of the arena, causing confetti to fly, and Big Joe Turner’s “shake, rattle, roll” rang out of the speakers. Fans chanted, “Ovi! ovi!” When play resumes.
“Every time he scores, the crowd gets 10 times more involved, it’s a bit blown away and they’re always cheering for you no matter what happens later,” said winger Andrew Mangiapan. “Every time he achieves his goal for us, it’s a great atmosphere.”
Mangia Pan, who wears Jersey No. 88, saw the Triple 8 and revealed that he might get it too. He scored midway through the second term.
“There were a lot of eight seconds out there,” Ovechkin said.
At the current pace, Ovechkin has a chance to break Gretzky’s record before the end of the regular season.
“It seemed like no one had expected this to happen so quickly in the last two years,” Flyers captain Shaun Couturier said. “It’s definitely special. When the play is finished, we can say we played against the biggest goal scorer of all time. … It’s happy for him. It’s fun to see him approach.”
Capitals left winger Alex Ovechkin celebrates after scoring his 888th career goal in his first period with the Flyers on Thursday. AP/Nick Wass
The Capitals have 13 games left in the regular season before the playoffs. Ovechkin remains on the contract for a year in case he hasn’t reached the mark this season.
His teammates hope he takes the time to reach 895.
“I want to see him accomplish that,” Lindgren said. “He creates many scoring opportunities per game. He could have won a couple tonight. Obviously, we don’t know exactly what he’s feeling.
“He’s still out and achieved goals for us, scored, and is one of the captains.”
Director Spencer Carberry believes there will be a lot of positives in the capital with Ovechkin on this mission.
“Our peers feed it on the bench, they’re pulling it for him,” Carberry said. “I think they have the energy to play at a higher level. …As a coach, I don’t have any doubts because I feel that this chase and the energy around it is not a distraction or obstacle for our group. That was a huge benefit.”
