Alex Ovechkin ties Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record of 894 NHL goals

Russian ice hockey player Alex Ovechkin has become the National Hockey League’s joint-highest ever scorer after racking up his 894th career goal.

The Washington Capitals star is now tied with Canadian Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky, whose once-untouchable record stood for 26 years.

Ovechkin, 39, drove home the puck with a power play in the third quarter to give the Capitals a 4-3 lead over the Chicago Blackhawks.

He was mobbed by teammates when he broke the record on Friday night with what was his second goal of the game.

Ovechkin’s feat is all the more remarkable given that his season was interrupted for a few weeks when he broke his leg in November.

“It means a lot,” Ovechkin said in an interview immediately after Friday’s game, thanking fans and his family.

“Right now it’s so emotional. You never thought, like, you can reach that milestone.”

Gretzky, who was in the crowd at the Capital One Arena to see his record shattered, also drew cheers from the crowd.

On Sunday, Ovechkin will have the chance to become the highest-ever goal scorer when the Caps play the New York Islanders.