Alex Ovechkin is now just 13 goals away from The Great One. The Russian superstar recorded a hat trick against the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday, and afterward, fans couldn’t stop talking about the incredibly wholesome moment that followed his third goal of the game.
Wayne Gretzky still holds the record for the most goals in NHL history, but it’s looking increasingly likely that his incredible mark will be broken before the 2024-25 regular season ends.
With NHL games resuming after the 4 Nations Face-Off break, Ovechkin wasted no time getting back to his usual self. He scored his first goal of the game midway through the second period, then added another on the power play ten minutes later to make it 4-1 for the Washington Capitals. With just minutes remaining, Ovechkin completed the hat trick with an empty-netter, extending the Caps’ lead to 7-3.
Alex Ovechkin’s heartwarming gesture
Ovechkin celebrated each of his three goals by fist-bumping his son, Sergei, who was in attendance. The third goal, however, required a longer skate, as he had scored on the far side of the ice.
That didn’t stop him—after celebrating with his teammates, he made his way to the opposite corner to see his son. Fans loved the heartfelt gesture, and post-game, Ovechkin spoke about how much it meant to have his family there to witness his historic chase.
“It means a lot. The kids love hockey,” Alex Ovechkin told the NHL on TNT crew. “They know every player. Obviously, playing against one of the best teams in the League—two of the best players out there. It’s nice to get a win, it’s nice to get a couple of goals. So, I’m pretty sure they’re going to be happy.”
With his hat trick on Sunday, Ovechkin became the first player in NHL history to score 200 goals in three different decades. He now sits at 882 career goals, just 13 away from surpassing Wayne Gretzky for the most all-time.
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