Alex Ovechkin played his first game since breaking the NHL all-time goals record four days ago—but he didn’t just take a casual skate around the ice. It looked like Ovechkin had his sights set on yet another ground-breaking NHL record, this time in a completely different category than goal-scoring.
Ovechkin’s record-breaking feat has been the talk of the sports world all week. Over the weekend, he tied Wayne Gretzky’s 894 career goals with two against the Chicago Blackhawks, then officially claimed the top spot just a day later with a goal against the New York Islanders. The celebrations were massive. Ovechkin was honored and praised by both current NHL stars and legends—including The Great One himself, who walked out to center ice to congratulate the new record-holder.
Ovechkin and his Washington Capitals teammates celebrated the milestone that night, with the Russian superstar spotted enjoying a few beers at a restaurant. But just four days after securing his place in NHL history, Ovechkin was back on the ice for a game against the Carolina Hurricanes—and this time, he made an impact in ways that had nothing to do with scoring goals.
Alex Ovechkin chases new record
Yes, Ovechkin is the greatest goal-scorer of all time, but he’s also a physical force, known for delivering thunderous hits. And he put that side of his game on full display Thursday night.
During the game, Alex Ovechkin threw several big hits, including one monster check on Jalen Chatfield early in the second period. His teammates praised the play, saying it sparked the team’s energy. The fans loved it too—and the barrage of hits also brought Ovechkin one step closer to yet another impressive NHL record.
While his goal-scoring has defined his career, Alex Ovechkin currently ranks third all-time in hits, with 3,739 (since the NHL began tracking the stat in 2007–08). He was credited with four more on Thursday, and many fans are convinced he’s now gunning for the all-time hits record as well. He sits just 296 hits away from the top spot. With 106 hits already this season, he’d likely need to play at least a couple more seasons to reach that mark. But if there’s one thing Ovechkin has proven time and time again—it’s that nothing is impossible.
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