In a December regular season NHL matchup, the Washington Capitals edged the Columbus Blue Jackets 3 to 2 in overtime, delivering a thrilling conclusion to the game and a memorable moment for fans in both countries. The overtime winner came from Washington’s superstar forward, Alexander Ovechkin, whose goal sealed the victory and etched him into hockey lore as only the second player in NHL history to reach 900 career goals across the regular season and playoffs, joining Wayne Gretzky in that exclusive club. Gretzky, a Canadian icon, stands at the top with 1016 total goals in his storied career.
The late-game play that produced the winning tally also narrowed the gap between Ovechkin and Gretzky in the all-time goal-scoring leaderboard. Following the triumph, Ovechkin sits at 828 NHL goals for his career, with Gretzky still holding the record at 894 goals in 1,487 appearances. The margin between the two legendary snipers stands at 66 goals, a figure that has fueled discussions among fans and analysts about the enduring hunt for the most prolific scorer in league history.
Into this season, Ovechkin has contributed 6 goals and 14 assists over 30 regular-season games, leading Washington in points alongside teammate Dylan Strome, who has 13 goals and 7 assists. That pairing has been a driving force for the Capitals, providing both veteran leadership and explosive offense as the team navigates a demanding schedule and aims for a strong finish in the standings.
On a related note, Kirill Kaprizov had already secured a win for Minnesota in a recent game against Montreal, highlighting the ongoing narrative of top Canadian and American franchises pursuing playoff spots and individual milestones. These developments underscore the broad appeal of the sport across North America, where fans in Canada and the United States closely follow each star’s journey toward historic records and team success.