Wayne Gretzky scored his 894th and final NHL goal of his Hall of Fame career against the New York Islanders in March 1999.
The Islanders will be the opponent again as Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin tries to score his 895th career goal during Sunday afternoon’s road game and break a record that was once considered unbreakable.
Ovechkin scored two goals Friday night at home against the Chicago Blackhawks to tie the record with Gretzky in the building. Gretzky and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman are at UBS Arena on Sunday, and a brief ceremony will be held if Ovechkin breaks the record.
Can he do it?
USA TODAY will provide live updates on Sunday’s Washington Capitals–New York Islanders game. Follow along:
Alex Ovechkin stats
Alex Ovechkin has one shot and had two other shot attempts blocked. He played 4:29 in the first period.
End of first period: Islanders 2, Capitals 0
The Islanders are seven points of a playoff spot and are the more desperate team. They have the lead, though the Capitals have outshot them 8-5.
Alex Ovechkin chance
He swings his stick and knocks the puck from Ryan Pulock, but it goes off the defenseman’s skate.
Alex Ovechkin stats so far
Four shifts, one shot, 2:43 of ice time.
Capitals-Islanders score: New York up by two
The Islanders need this game. Their fourth line connects on a Marc Gatcomb goal after a Kyle MacLean centering pass. Islanders then go on a power play, but it’s killed off. Islanders 2, Capitals 0
Alex Ovechkin shot blocked
Defenseman Ryan Pulock blocks an Alex Ovechkin shot.
Capitals-Islanders score: New York goes ahead
Bo Horvat scores after the Islanders cycle the puck in the zone. Islanders 1, Capitals 0
Alex Ovechkin chance
Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin stops an Alex Ovechkin deflection of a Rasmus Sandin shot. Ovechkin has never scored on Sorokin in three previous games.
Game underway
Alex Ovechkin starting with Dylan Strome and Tom Wilson.
No Aliaksei Protas today
He’s week to week with a lower body injury after being hurt in Friday’s game.
When is Alex Ovechkin’s next game?
The Washington Capitals play the New York Islanders at 12:30 p.m. ET on Sunday at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
Where to watch Alex Ovechkin’s next game
The Capitals vs. Islanders game is being aired on TNT and truTV.
How to stream Alex Ovechkin’s next game
Max and Sling carry TNT games.
Capitals vs. Islanders date, start time, where to watch
- Game Day: Sunday, April 6
- Game Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
- Location: UBS Arena (Elmont, New York)
- TV Channel: TNT, truTV
- Live Stream: Max | Sling TV
Alex Ovechkin vs. Wayne Gretzky stats
Before Sunday’s game
Games: Gretzky 1,487 | Ovechkin 1,486
Goals: Gretzky 894 | Ovechkin 894
Assists: Gretzky 1,963 | Ovechkin 724
Points: Gretzky 2,857 | Ovechkin 1,618
Gordie Howe milestone on Sunday
Hall of Famer Gordie Howe scored his 801st and final NHL goal on April 6, 1980. That record stood until Wayne Gretzky passed Howe in 1994.
Alex Ovechkin milestone goals vs. Islanders
Alex Ovechkin passed three top 10 players on the all-time goal list by scoring against the Islanders: Mario Lemieux for 10th place on Jan. 18, 2020; Phil Esposito for sixth on March 16, 2021, and Jaromir Jagr for third on March 15, 2022. All of the goals were scored against Semyon Varlamov, who’s out with an injury.
Wayne Gretzky milestone goals vs. Islanders
In addition to goal No. 894 on March 29, 1999, Wayne Gretzky scored his 300th (Dec. 13, 1983) and 700th (Jan. 3, 1991) career goals in games against the Islanders.
Alex Ovechkin career goals vs. Islanders
Ovechkin has 44 goals in 71 career regular-season games against the Islanders. He missed the teams’ earlier meeting because of injury. He has never scored on No. 1 goalie Ilya Sorokin.
OviCast on truTV
TNT Sports is producing an alternative telecast – The OviCast – featuring an isolated camera on Ovechkin for the duration of Sunday’s game. It will air on truTV and Max. The OviCast will display Ovechkin’s live stats, his historical numbers and on-ice audio from the NHL on TNT broadcast.
Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you make a purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
