Alex Ovechkin is 13 goals away from breaking the NHL’s goals record after scoring his 32nd career hat trick against the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday. And on his way to career goal number 882, Ovechkin captured a share of a nuanced goals record that he will likely own outright by season’s end.
Ovechkin’s second goal of the game, a power-play strike late in the second period that gave the Capitals a 4-1 lead, would end up being the game-winning goal in the Washington Capitals’ 7-3 victory.
The game-winner was the 135th of Ovi’s illustrious career, tying him with Jaromir Jagr for the most all-time. Ovi scored career goal no. 881 on the 181st different goaltender he’s beaten in his career, Calvin Pickard.
Alex Ovechkin has tied Jaromir Jagr for the most game-winning goals in NHL history. pic.twitter.com/wbeAufEcwt
— Capitals PR (@CapitalsPR) February 23, 2025
Ovechkin (1,467 games) tied Jagr (1,733 games) in 266 fewer games played. The next closest active player is Sidney Crosby, who has 95.
Most game-winning goals in NHL history
| Rank | Player | GWG |
|---|---|---|
| 1t | Alex Ovechkin | 135 |
| Jaromir Jagr | 135 | |
| 3 | Gordie Howe | 121 |
| 4 | Phil Esposito | 118 |
| 5t | Brett Hull | 110 |
| Teemu Selanne | 110 | |
| 7t | Brendan Shanahan | 109 |
| Patrick Marleau | 109 | |
| 9 | Jarome Iginla | 101 |
| 10t | Bobby Hull | 98 |
| Guy Lafleur | 98 | |
| 12 | Mats Sundin | 96 |
| 13 | Sidney Crosby | 95 |
| 14 | Steve Yzerman | 94 |
| 15 | Sergei Fedorov | 93 |
Ovechkin has averaged 6.8 game-winning goals per season, notching a career-high 11 in three of his earlier campaigns (2007-08, 2010-11, and 2014-15). The Capitals captain has six game-winners so far this season — the most he’s had since 2020-21 (6).
As of publishing, only seven players in the NHL have more GWGs than Ovechkin this season, including Leon Draisaitl (9), Mark Scheifele (8), Matt Boldy (8), John Tavares (7), William Nylander (7), Martin Necas (7), and Jack Hughes (7).
