Alexander Ovechkin Enters Elite Territory with 900th Career Goal
WASHINGTON (AP) — Alexander Ovechkin became the first player in National Hockey League history to score 900 career goals Tuesday night, reaching the milestone with a second-period strike in the Washington Capitals’ 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The 40-year-old Russian superstar took a pass from Dylan Strome and fired his signature slap shot from the left circle past Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy at 12:34 of the second period, triggering a lengthy standing ovation at Capital One Arena.
Historic Achievement
Ovechkin’s 900th goal came in his 1,481st career game, surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s previous record of 894 goals that had stood as hockey’s most hallowed individual mark. The goal extended Ovechkin’s lead as the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer.
“I don’t have words,” Ovechkin said after the game. “When I came to NHL, I just want to play hockey. I never think about 900 goals. It’s unbelievable.”
Wayne Gretzky, whose record Ovechkin broke in 2023, congratulated the Capitals forward in a statement. “What Alex has accomplished is extraordinary,” Gretzky said. “To score 900 goals in today’s NHL, with the talent level of goaltending and defense, is remarkable.”
The milestone caps a remarkable career that began in 2005 when Ovechkin was selected first overall by Washington. He’s won three Hart Trophies as league MVP, nine Rocket Richard Trophies as the league’s leading goal scorer, and led the Capitals to their only Stanley Cup championship in 2018.
| Ovechkin’s Career Milestones | Games Played | Age | Date | Goals per Game |
| 100th Goal | 177 | 22 | Nov 10, 2007 | 0.56 |
| 300th Goal | 503 | 26 | Dec 20, 2011 | 0.60 |
| 500th Goal | 801 | 30 | Jan 10, 2016 | 0.62 |
| 700th Goal | 1,144 | 34 | Feb 22, 2020 | 0.61 |
| 800th Goal | 1,305 | 37 | Dec 13, 2022 | 0.61 |
| 900th Goal | 1,481 | 40 | Nov 12, 2025 | 0.61 |
Sustained Excellence
What makes Ovechkin’s achievement particularly remarkable is his consistency over two decades. His goals-per-game average has remained around 0.60-0.61 throughout his career, showing minimal decline despite aging into his 40s.
“The durability, the consistency, the relentlessness – that’s what separates great players from all-time greats,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. “Alex has redefined what’s possible in terms of goal scoring.”
Ovechkin has scored goals in every conceivable situation: power plays, penalty kills, even strength, empty net. He’s recorded at least 30 goals in 15 different seasons and led the league in goals nine times.
His most productive position – the left faceoff circle on the power play – has become known as “Ovechkin’s office” around the league. Opponents know the shot is coming, yet they’ve been unable to stop it for nearly 20 years.
NFL: Defense Dominates
In Monday Night Football, the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense stifled the Green Bay Packers in a 10-7 victory that showcased elite defensive play in an offense-dominated era.
Jaelan Phillips, making his Eagles debut after a trade from Miami, recorded two sacks and four quarterback hits in a dominant performance. The Eagles defense held Green Bay to 247 total yards – the Packers’ lowest output this season.
“This is what championship defense looks like,” Eagles defensive coordinator Sean Desai said. “We controlled the line of scrimmage and made them one-dimensional.”
Philadelphia improved to 9-1 while Green Bay fell to 7-3. The loss was compounded by a lower-leg fracture suffered by Packers left guard Elgton Jenkins, who will miss multiple weeks.
| Game Statistics | Eagles | Packers |
| Total Yards | 312 | 247 |
| First Downs | 18 | 14 |
| Third Down Efficiency | 6-14 | 3-13 |
| Sacks | 5 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Time of Possession | 33:42 | 26:18 |
MLB Awards
Oakland Athletics first baseman Jackson Kurtz and Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin were named Rookie of the Year in their respective leagues Monday, though the announcements were overshadowed by federal indictments of two Cleveland players on match-fixing charges.
Kurtz, 23, hit .287 with 28 home runs and 94 RBIs for Oakland, becoming the first Athletics player to win the award since Mark McGwire in 1987. He received 24 of 30 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.
Baldwin’s path was unconventional. The 25-year-old wasn’t on Atlanta’s Opening Day roster but earned a spot with strong spring training performance. He hit .289 with 19 home runs while throwing out 41% of would-be base stealers.
“I was just trying to prove I belonged,” Baldwin said. “Nobody expected me to make the team, let alone have the season I had.”
The awards came hours after federal prosecutors unsealed indictments charging Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase and pitcher Luis Ortiz with wire fraud and pitch rigging. The charges allege they deliberately threw specific pitches to benefit gamblers, generating over $14 million in illegal profits.
College Football Upsets
Several ranked teams fell Saturday, scrambling the College Football Playoff picture with three weeks remaining in the regular season.
Texas Tech upset eighth-ranked BYU 29-7 in a game that exposed weaknesses in the previously undefeated Cougars. Stone Harrington kicked a school-record five field goals for the Red Raiders, who improved to 8-2.
Virginia and Louisville also lost to unranked opponents, effectively eliminating both from playoff contention. Texas and Oregon won and moved back into the top 10, setting up a chaotic final month.
“This is why college football is so compelling,” ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit said. “Any team can beat any team on any Saturday. It makes ranking them nearly impossible.”
The College Football Playoff committee’s next rankings release comes Tuesday, with at least five teams having legitimate arguments for the four playoff spots.
NBA Warriors Surge
The Golden State Warriors extended their winning streak to seven games with a 127-118 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, led by 43 points from Steph Curry.
Curry, 36, made nine three-pointers and shot 15-of-23 from the field, continuing a stretch where he’s averaging 31.2 points per game. The Warriors improved to 11-3 and lead the Western Conference.
“Steph’s doing Steph things,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “The guy’s been doing this for 15 years and somehow he keeps getting better.”
Curry’s performance silenced critics who questioned whether Golden State’s championship window had closed. The Warriors have won 10 of their last 11 games.
Tennis: Sinner Starts Strong
Jannik Sinner began the ATP Finals with a straight-sets victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-4, continuing his breakout season.
The 22-year-old Italian, ranked fourth in the world, has won four tournaments this year and established himself as one of tennis’s rising stars. He’s defeated every member of the current top 10 at least once this season.
“Jannik’s game has matured significantly,” former champion John McEnroe said. “He’s got the power, consistency and mental toughness to win Grand Slams.”
The ATP Finals continue through Sunday in Turin, Italy, with Sinner attempting to win his home tournament.
Other Developments
Manchester City defeated Liverpool 3-0 in the Premier League, extending their lead atop the standings. India’s Anish Bhanwala won silver in the 25m rapid-fire pistol at the ISSF World Championships, a first for India in that event.
Formula One driver Lando Norris extended his championship lead with his second consecutive victory in São Paulo. Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 2-1 in El Clásico, with goals from Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham.
Looking Ahead
The sports calendar intensifies this week with college football’s rivalry week beginning, the ATP Finals concluding, and NBA action continuing. Ovechkin and the Capitals face the Boston Bruins Thursday in what’s already being billed as goal number 901 watch.
The House of Representatives is expected to vote Wednesday on ending the government shutdown, which has impacted sports through delayed economic data and concerns about stadium financing and federal tax breaks.
For Ovechkin, Tuesday’s milestone represents the culmination of two decades of elite goal scoring. At 40 years old, he shows no signs of slowing down, with teammates and opponents alike marveling at his sustained excellence.
“What he’s done is beyond comprehension,” Capitals captain John Carlson said. “We’re watching the greatest goal scorer in hockey history, and he’s still going. It’s unbelievable to be part of it.”
