Alex Ovechkin’s scored “The Goal” 19 years to the day on Thursday. Ovi’s iconic tally came against the Phoenix Coyotes in the 44th game of his rookie season with the Washington Capitals on January 16, 2006.
While the twisting and corkscrewing goal will forever be a notable chapter in Ovechkin’s legendary career, a moment earlier on the same Comcast Sportsnet broadcast has recently drawn viral attention.
During the game’s second intermission, play-by-play man Joe Beninati jokingly mentioned how many more goals the 20-year-old Ovechkin would need to reach Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record of 894 — something that seemed near-impossible at the time. The moment was dug up by @averagecapsfan on Twitter from full-game footage posted on YouTube within the last year.
“894 goals, so that means Alex is only 860 behind,” Beninati quipped to Craig Laughlin. “Good luck, Mr. Ovechkin. Good luck.”
Beninati made the comment as Comcast Sportsnet featured Gretzky’s all-time stats on a graphic. Gretzky was in the middle of what would be his first of four seasons as head coach of the Coyotes.
Ovechkin scored the 31st goal of his career late in the first period, and the Capitals were up 5-1 after 40 minutes of play. “The Goal” would get scored 11:54 into the third period, moving Ovechkin 862 goals away from The Great One’s all-time mark.
Fast forward 19 years, and while Comcast Sportsnet no longer exists, Beninati and Laughlin still remain as the main commentary duo for the Capitals, and Ovechkin is now just 20 goals from a share of Gretzky’s once-thought-unbreakable record. Monumental Sports Network analyst Alan May took the opportunity to chirp Joe B about the moment during the Capitals’ postgame show Thursday night.
“You’re coming back to get me 19 years after I said something?,” Beninati said, smiling, as Laughlin laughed beside him.
“It’s called receipts!” May piped back.
May wasn’t the only one to call back to Beninati’s long-ago comments. The serendipity of Joe B’s seemingly prophetic utterance went viral on social media, with Capitals owner Ted Leonsis among those who shared and commented on the video.
19 years ago today! @Capitals against Phoenix; Alex scored the goal. Joe Beninati jokes when seeing Coyotes Head Coach Wayne Gretzky watching the play on the center hung — “good luck Alex trying to catch that man”. Who knew?! Great find. https://t.co/lsZNDPP0ZJ
— Ted Leonsis (@TedLeonsis) January 17, 2025
“19 years ago today! @Capitals against Phoenix; Alex scored the goal,” Leonsis wrote. “Joe Beninati jokes when seeing Coyotes Head Coach Wayne Gretzky watching the play on the center hung — ‘good luck Alex trying to catch that man.’ Who knew?! Great find.”
Later, on the anniversary of his famous goal, Ovechkin scored career goal number 874 in overtime to down the Ottawa Senators. In doing so, he became the NHL record holder for most goaltenders ever scored on (179), crossing Leevi Merilainen off his list.
With his 21st goal in 29 games this season, Ovechkin is currently on pace to tie Gretkzy at 894 on March 30 vs Buffalo and score 895 on April 1 at Boston.
