Alex Ovechkin just hit 1,000!
With 5:43 remaining in the third period, Ovechkin connected on a huge one-timer from the left circle, beating Colorado Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood short side over the right pad.
According to NHL Edge, the shot was clocked at a speed of 93.70 mph — his hardest SOG this season which resulted in a goal.
Not only did the power-play goal tie the game 2-2, but it marked Ovechkin’s 1,000th career goal in the regular season and playoffs combined, joining Wayne Gretzky (1,016) as the only player in NHL history to reach the millennium mark.
“It’s always nice to reach something, and it was (an) important goal as well,” Ovechkin said postgame.
Ovechkin hit the mark by scoring 923 goals in the regular season and 77 in the postseason. The next closest player is Gordie Howe, who trails Ovechkin by 133.
Most goals including playoffs
| Player | Combined goals | Regular season | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne Gretzky | 1016 | 894 | 122 |
| Alex Ovechkin | 1000 | 923 | 77 |
| Gordie Howe | 869 | 801 | 68 |
| Jaromír Jágr | 844 | 766 | 78 |
| Brett Hull | 844 | 741 | 103 |
| Mark Messier | 803 | 694 | 109 |
| Phil Esposito | 778 | 717 | 61 |
| Mario Lemieux | 766 | 690 | 76 |
| Steve Yzerman | 762 | 692 | 70 |
| Marcel Dionne | 752 | 731 | 21 |
The Capitals honored Ovechkin shortly after he found paydirt for the 1,000th time, eliciting a huge standing ovation from the Capital One Arena crowd.
Ovechkin waved from the bench area.
The goal marked Ovechkin’s first power-play goal at home this season and his first at Capital One Arena since scoring his 894th regular-season goal and tying Wayne Gretzky on April 4, 2025.
The tally against the Avalanche marked Ovechkin’s 26th goal of the 2025-26 season and his seventh career marker against Blackwood.
Dylan Strome and Cole Huston registered the assists. The apple marked Hutson’s first career NHL assist.
“Yeah, I think Huts was in the corner and Stromer (took) his spot, and he (made) a nice play too, on top, and Zini find me out there,” Ovechkin said.
Per Capitals PR, Ovechkin’s 0.53 goals-per-game rate since turning 35 on Sept. 17, 2020, is the highest by a player in NHL history after their 35th birthday. Ovechkin has also scored an NHL record 447 goals since turning 30.
