Ranking Alex Ovechkin’s Top Goals

The `Gr8 Chase` is complete. Alex Ovechkin has become the NHL`s all-time leading goal scorer, surpassing the legendary Wayne Gretzky.

Ovechkin achieved this record in numerous ways, including over 550 even-strength goals and more than 320 power-play goals, many from his famous `Ovi spot`. He also leads in empty-net and overtime goals. Remarkably, five of his goals were shorthanded, despite averaging minimal penalty-killing time.

However, not all of Ovechkin`s goals are equal. Some are true works of art, masterpieces of skill and athleticism. Others are significant for their importance, defining moments in his career.

This list ranks the top 20 goals of Ovechkin`s career, including both regular season and Stanley Cup playoff goals.

Many of these goals are highlight reel staples, while others are included due to their importance to Ovechkin`s legacy. Relive these classic moments from the first 895 goals of the Washington Capitals star, with insights from Ovechkin, his teammates, coaches, and opponents. Enjoy!

20. Dec. 18, 2015: Ovechkin Shocks the Lightning

This goal felt inevitable as Jason Chimera delivered a perfect pass into the Lightning zone.

Ovechkin seized the puck and froze Tampa Bay`s Anton Stralman with a classic curl-and-drag move, scoring a beautiful power-play goal against Ben Bishop.

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19. June 7, 2018: Ovechkin`s Stanley Cup Final Goal

Ovechkin has scored countless power-play goals like this. But Game 5 against the Golden Knights marked the first time he scored such a goal in a Stanley Cup clinching game, capping off a playoff run worthy of the Conn Smythe Trophy.

`There was a lot of negativity last year in the media, on Twitter, everywhere,` said Barry Trotz, the championship team`s coach. `It was hurtful, and I think he took it personally. He was determined to prove he was still a great player, and he certainly did.`

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18. March 9, 2011: Ovechkin`s Defensive Play vs. Oilers

Criticism of Ovechkin`s defense has been a constant throughout his career, even leading former coach Dale Hunter to briefly try him as a shot blocker.

However, Ovechkin has shown defensive prowess, like this play where he stole the puck from Oilers defenseman Kurtis Foster, creating a 2-on-0 and scoring easily.

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17. Oct. 5, 2005: Career Goal No. 1

This is where it all began. In their home opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Ovechkin scored his first NHL goal just 28 seconds after Columbus took the lead in the second period. He positioned himself for a one-timer between the circles.

Dainius Zubrus found him, and Ovechkin blasted a shot past Pascal Leclaire, marking the first of his many goals.

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16. March 19, 2022: Ovechkin vs. Chicago (and Duncan Keith)

Duncan Keith, a future Hall of Fame defenseman with a Norris Trophy and Stanley Cups, became Ovechkin`s victim on national television.

Keith couldn`t stop Ovechkin`s move, as he dangled the puck, pulled it back through his legs, and skated around Keith for a goal, leaving three Blackhawks players seemingly helpless.

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15. March 1, 2011: Overtime Winner vs. Islanders

In 4-on-4 overtime against the Islanders, Ovechkin faced Frans Nielsen one-on-one.

Ovechkin outmaneuvered Nielsen with speed through the neutral zone, skated through a check, and finished with a backhand shot that surprised goalie Nathan Lawson.

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14. March 19, 2009: The `Hot Stick` Celebration

Ovechkin`s 50th goal of the 2008-09 season sparked a memorable moment: the `hot stick` celebration, where he pretended to warm his gloves over his stick.

This celebration became iconic, but Don Cherry criticized it as lacking `class`.

Years later, Mike McKenna, the goalie, admitted he might have reacted strongly if he were a veteran then. However, he and Ovechkin talked it out, with Ovechkin apologizing and explaining he was just having fun. McKenna appreciated Ovechkin`s humility.

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13. Nov. 20, 2014: The End Boards Goal vs. Avalanche

This goal showcases Ovechkin`s strengths: speed, a drag move around Jan Hejda, brute force, and patience to collect the rebound and score against Reto Berra.

It was a backhand setup, missing only his signature slap shot.

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12. Oct. 10, 2015: Ovechkin Schools Moore, Devils

Ovechkin`s first goal of the 2015-16 season highlighted his skill and gave John Moore of the Devils a lesson. Ovechkin faked right, dangled left, leaving Moore behind, and scored over Keith Kinkaid`s glove.

Moore admitted he was fooled by Ovechkin`s fake and learned a tough lesson.

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11. May 1, 2018: The Double-Tap Goal

The Capitals overcame Pittsburgh in the semifinals en route to their Stanley Cup. Ovechkin`s Game 3 goal was crucial. Nicklas Backstrom created a turnover and a 2-on-1. Ovechkin`s shot hit the post, but he batted the rebound in mid-air.

Backstrom noted their long-standing chemistry, with him as playmaker and Ovechkin as scorer, driven by his love for scoring.

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10. Jan. 19, 2006: Ovechkin`s Full Throttle Goal vs. Blues

As the announcer said, Ovechkin went `full throttle`, outmaneuvering veteran Eric Weinrich and scoring past Curtis Sanford.

Ovechkin ranked this goal as his second favorite of his top 10 NHL goals. He noted the game was more open then, unlike the more compact style today.

This goal followed another classic goal against Phoenix, also on this list.

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9. Jan. 25, 2014: Ovechkin`s Juggle vs. Canadiens

This goal showed Ovechkin`s juggling ability. He collected a rebound mid-air behind the net, juggled it with his stick, and tapped it past Carey Price.

The announcer called it an incredibly skilled goal, not expected from a `hands guy`.

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8. Feb. 4, 2010: The One-Handed Classic

This goal, Ovechkin`s 500th point, showed how unstoppable he can be. Backstrom set him up, Rangers` Michal Rozsival tried to impede him, but Ovechkin dangled through the hold and scored a one-handed shot past Henrik Lundqvist.

Ovechkin said it was his first one-handed goal, as his hand wasn`t usually strong enough. The New York Times called it `Ovechkin Show`.

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7. April 6, 2025: Ovechkin Eclipses Gretzky

On April 6th, against the Islanders, Ovechkin scored his 895th goal, surpassing Wayne Gretzky. He could have broken it earlier but wanted to avoid an empty-net goal. He broke it with a classic power-play blast, followed by a celebratory belly slide.

The goal`s quality was secondary to the historic moment, as Ovechkin became the NHL`s all-time leading scorer.

Gretzky supported Ovechkin throughout the chase, echoing his father`s advice to be gracious when records are broken, for the good of the game.

Ovechkin breaking this record in today`s NHL is extraordinary.

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6. Dec. 26, 2008: Ovechkin Slugs Buffalo (`Buffaslug`)

This goal, dubbed `Buffaslug`, was against the Sabres in their infamous jerseys. Ovechkin seemed to punish them with this end-to-end goal.

He stole the puck, raced away, seemingly lost it to Henrik Tallinder, but retained control, shot while falling, and scored past Patrick Lalime, sliding into him.

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5. May 2, 2015: Ovechkin from His Knee vs. Rangers

Another playoff goal against the Rangers, this one against Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi, and Henrik Lundqvist.

Ovechkin split the defense, they collided, he slipped through, fell to his knee, and shot before falling completely.

Teammate Evgeny Kuznetsov called it `sick`.

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4. Dec. 20, 2014: `Dangle-licious` Goal

This goal against the Devils inspired the term `dangle-licious`.

Ovechkin sped towards Jon Merrill, who had Travis Zajac for support. Ovechkin toe-dragged around Merrill as Zajac reached, and despite Cory Schneider covering the net, Ovechkin backhanded the puck under the bar.

Schneider acknowledged Ovechkin`s skill and great move.

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3. April 24, 2009: Ovechkin Playoff Goal vs. Rangers

This playoff goal was like video game moves. After a turnover, Ovechkin skated down ice, deked Chris Drury, dangled through Derek Morris`s legs, and backhanded the puck past Lundqvist.

Ovechkin called his backhand `terrible` and `lucky`.

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2. Feb. 18, 2009: The `Hamrlik Goal`

Roman Hamrlik later became Ovechkin`s teammate, but in 2009, he was a victim of this goal.

Hamrlik chased Ovechkin to the red line, Ovechkin beat him, poked the puck around him, spin-o-rama`d into the zone, got knocked down by Kyle Chipchura, but still flicked the puck past Carey Price while falling.

The announcer called it the most spectacular goal he`d seen live in 25 years.

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1. Jan. 16, 2006: `The Goal`

This ranking aims to spark debate, and while other goals could be #1, `The Goal` is Ovechkin`s `Citizen Kane`, his masterpiece. It announced a true artist and remains unforgettable.

Thinking of Ovechkin`s 900 goals, this Glendale goal comes to mind, Sportsnet`s greatest goal of the 21st century.

In his rookie season, Ovechkin had already scored 30 goals by mid-January. He skated in on Paul Mara, tried to deke, got knocked off balance, but still managed to one-hand a shot while falling onto his back, scoring past Brian Boucher.

Auston Matthews, an 8-year-old fan, watched in the stands, inspired. Wayne Gretzky, then Phoenix`s coach, watched from behind the bench.

Earlier in the game, the announcer joked about Ovechkin being 860 goals behind Gretzky. `Good luck, Mr. Ovechkin,` he said.