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Fans Are Freaking Out Over the Timing of Alex Ovechkin's Record-Breaking Goal
Now that Wayne Gretzky's goal scoring record is no more, fans have noticed some eerie coincidences surrounding Alex Ovechkin's accomplishment.
There is a new all-time leading goal scorer in National Hockey League history, and his name is Alex Ovechkin.
The Washington Capitals captain and future Hall of Famer officially overtook Wayne Gretzky this afternoon against the New York Islanders, ripping a shot past goaltender (and fellow Russian countryman) Ilya Sorokin from his usual patented spot in the faceoff circle for the historic goal.
With his 895th goal, Ovechkin now has sole possession of the title of greatest scorer in NHL history.
And there were some eerie circumstances surrounding the goal that fans immediately began noticing. Today's date is April 6; exactly 21 years ago on April 6, 2004, the Capitals won the NHL Draft Lottery and eventually used it to select Ovechkin.
On April 6, 2004, the Washington Capitals defied the odds by winning the NHL Draft Lottery despite having only the third-best chance (14.2%) of securing the top pick. With this pick, the Capitals selected Russian forward Alexander Ovechkin.
On April 6, 2025, Alexander Ovechkin breaks Wayne Gretzky's goal record.
On April 6, 2025, Alexander Ovechkin breaks Wayne Gretzky's goal record.
As if that weren't enough, consider this. Ovechkin scored the record-breaking goal against the Islanders, the same club that Gretzky scored his 894th and final NHL goal against in 1999.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, who was on hand along with Gretzky himself at UBS Arena, released the following statement:
Alex Ovechkin has been an unstoppable force from the moment he entered the NHL in 2005 - a unique package of effervescent personality, dynamic physicality and other-worldly talent for shooting the puck. His passion for winning is matched only by his incredible ability to score goals.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 6 | 243 ANSWERS Fans Are Freaking Out Over the Timing of Alex Ovechkin's Record-Breaking Goal Did you ever imagine that Wayne Gretzky's goal scoring record would be broken? | ||
| Yes, eventually | 138 | 56.8 % |
| No, I thought it would last forever! | 105 | 43.2 % |
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