At 7:39 p.m. ET on November 6, 2025, Alex Ovechkin didn’t just score a goal—he rewrote history. The Washington Capitals captain, 40, buried a backhand shot past Jordan Binnington to reach 900 career NHL goals, becoming the first player in the league’s 108-year history to do so. The moment exploded across Capital One Arena, where 18,506 fans rose as one, but the real drama unfolded seconds later—when Binnington, the St. Louis Blues goaltender, tried to slip the milestone puck into his pants.
The Goal That Broke the Mold
It wasn’t a power-play blast or a breakaway deke. Ovechkin, trailing the play, chased down a loose puck along the left boards, spun, and whipped a backhand through Binnington’s five-hole. The shot looked impossible—low, awkward, yet lethal. That’s been his signature for nearly two decades. He’s scored 900 of them like this: relentless, unorthodox, and utterly unstoppable.He’s now six goals ahead of Wayne Gretzky’s legendary 894. The gap between second and third place? Over 200 goals. No one else is even close. The NHL had no official protocol for a 900th goal. No trophy. No ceremony. Just a man in a red jersey, arms raised, face lit with pure, unfiltered joy.
The Puck Heist That Went Wrong
As the Capitals celebrated at the boards, Binnington, still in his crease, picked up the puck. He didn’t hand it to a linesman. He didn’t toss it to a fan. He tucked it—deliberately—into the waistband of his hockey pants. The move was quick, almost rehearsed. A goalie’s instinct, perhaps? To keep a piece of history for himself?It didn’t work.
Michel Cormier, the NHL’s veteran linesperson wearing #71, spotted it. He didn’t yell. Didn’t confront. Just walked over, gently pulled the puck free, and handed it back to Ovechkin with a nod. The crowd roared louder. Cameras flashed. The moment went viral before the final horn.
Ovechkin, known for collecting every milestone puck—from his first goal in 2005 to his 800th in 2022—didn’t say much afterward. "OVie himself chuckled about it and gave a no comment," reported TSN. But his smile said everything. He’s seen it all: hat tricks, Conn Smythes, Olympic gold. A goalie trying to steal his 900th puck? That’s just another Tuesday.
Why This Matters Beyond the Stats
Martin Biron, former NHL goalie and now TSN analyst, put it best: "He celebrates like it’s goal number one. How is he scoring those goals? He shouldn’t be able to shoot a backhand like that. But he finds a way. And he loves it. That’s the thing nobody can teach. That’s heart."It’s not just about the number. It’s about the consistency. Ovechkin has played 1,336 NHL games. He’s missed only 37 due to injury in 20 seasons. He’s played through concussions, a global pandemic, and the slow erosion of his athleticism. Yet here he is—still scoring, still celebrating, still chasing.
Compare this to Gretzky’s era. Back then, 894 was untouchable. Today, Ovechkin didn’t just match it—he blew past it. And he’s not done. At 40, he’s still averaging nearly 0.5 goals per game. If he plays 70 games next season? He’ll be at 935. The 1,000-goal mark? It’s no longer fantasy. It’s a countdown.
The Ripple Effect
The Blues, who lost 4-1, didn’t blame Binnington. "He’s a competitor," said St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong. "You don’t want to give up 900. You want to stop it. And if you can’t… well, you do what you think is right."But in hockey, tradition matters. Milestone pucks belong to the scorer. It’s not written down anywhere—it’s understood. Cormier didn’t just retrieve a puck. He upheld a code.
Even the NHL took note. A league spokesperson confirmed they’re reviewing whether to create a formal protocol for milestone pucks. "We’ve never had a 900-goal player," they said. "Maybe it’s time."
What’s Next for Ovechkin?
His next game? Saturday, November 8, 2025, against the New York Rangers at Capital One Arena. He’ll be wearing his usual #8, still breathing hard after every shift, still grinning after every goal. The 1,000-goal mark is now within reach. He’d be the first. No one else has even cracked 700 since Gretzky retired.And if someone tries to take that puck too? Well, Cormier’s still on the roster.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many goals did Ovechkin need to break Gretzky’s record?
Wayne Gretzky’s record was 894 career goals. Ovechkin surpassed it with his 895th goal on March 18, 2023, against the Minnesota Wild. His 900th goal, scored on November 6, 2025, extended his lead to six goals ahead of the previous record holder—making him the only player in NHL history to reach triple digits beyond Gretzky’s mark.
Has any other goalie ever tried to take a milestone puck?
Yes, but rarely with this level of audacity. In 2014, Jaroslav Halak briefly hid a Sidney Crosby milestone puck after a 500th goal, but quickly returned it after a teammate’s glare. Binnington’s attempt was the first to be caught on camera and intervened by a linesperson—making it a historic moment in both scoring and sportsmanship.
Why is Ovechkin so good at scoring from awkward angles?
His stick has a 135-degree curve—unusually large, almost illegal. Combined with his strength and hand-eye coordination, he can redirect pucks that would bounce off a regular stick. He’s practiced these shots since childhood in Moscow, often using a stick taped to a wall to simulate rebounds. His backhand isn’t a fluke—it’s a weapon.
What’s the significance of Michel Cormier’s role in this moment?
Cormier, an NHL linesperson since 2001, isn’t just an official—he’s a guardian of tradition. He’s handled dozens of milestone pucks over his career. His calm, unobtrusive retrieval of the puck showed deep respect for Ovechkin’s legacy. In hockey, linespeople are invisible until they’re essential. This was one of those moments.
Will Ovechkin play until 1,000 goals?
He’s said he’ll play "as long as I can still score." At 40, he’s still playing 20+ minutes a game. He needs 100 more goals. At his current pace, that’s 180–200 games—roughly two more seasons. If he stays healthy, he’ll hit 1,000 before age 43. No one has ever done it. He’s not just chasing history—he’s building a new one.
How did fans and players react to the puck incident?
Social media exploded. Memes of Binnington with a puck in his pants trended worldwide. Former players like Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr praised Ovechkin’s grace. "He’s got a sense of humor about it," said Jagr. "And that’s why he’s still here. He doesn’t take himself too seriously—even when he’s rewriting the record books."
