Ovechkin equals Gretzky's record of 894 NHL goals

Alex Ovechkin, the Washington Capitals' star, has tied Wayne Gretzky's NHL all-time goals record with his 894th goal after scoring twice against the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday.

The Washington Capitals great is now tied with Canadian Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky, who has held the mark for 26 years.

At 3:53 of the first period, the 39-year-old took advantage of a behind-the-net feed from Dylan Strome before shooting a one-timer from the circle past Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Nightoff for his 893rd career goal.

“Oh yeah, everyone’s buzzing right now.  Wayne is here, so yeah, it’s a special moment,” Ovechkin told Monumental Sports Network on if he felt the atmosphere of the crowd.

Ovechkin scored his 40th goal of the season, making him the only player in league history to have three 40-goal seasons at the age of 35 or older.

For long of the game, it appeared that Ovechkin would have to wait to match Gretzky. A opportunity in the dying minute of the second period looked to bring him even with the historic mark, but he missed wide.

The Capitals' star received a standing ovation from the Capital One Arena audience. Following the goal, Ovechkin skated towards his family and gave them high fives. He then skated towards center ice, waving to the fans.

He was also pictured waving to Gretzky and blowing him a kiss.

During the postgame news conference, Ovechkin said that Gretzky contacted him before the game to score three goals and "get it done."

“It’s a special moment,” Ovechkin said with Greztky sitting alongside him. “It’s great for DC. It’s great for all our fans. Doing it here in Washington, it’s fun. It’s a pleasure to be in that category with those names.”

Ovechkin added it was “nice” to have his family and friends in attendance who came from “many cities.”

Gretzky, who earlier in the night congratulated Ovechkin on tying his record, said it was "an honor" to be at Capital One Arena to witness the historic event.

“Alex has been so great for the city of Washington.  He’s been so great for the National Hockey League. And he’s encouraged so many kids in his home country of Russia to play the sport of hockey,” Gretzky said.

“He’s been nothing but a champion and I am so proud that we’re tied. I can live with that for another 24 more hours. I can still say I am tied for the most.”

Ovechkin passed up an opportunity to break the record with an empty-net goal, instead handing it to rookie Ryan Leonard, who scored his first career goal.

“I had pretty good chances in the last minute. … I told Carbs (Capitals coach Spencer Carbery) right away I don’t want to do it. … Everybody asked me if I wanted it, I said, ‘Let’s wait.’  I’m happy for Leo (Leonard). … Kid has a great future.”

Ovechkin scored his first NHL goal as a rookie in October 2005.  Everything that came after led to this historic moment for the superstar winger, years of ecstasy and anguish that shaped Ovechkin into the player -- and eventually champion -- he is today.

Welcome to the Alex Ovechkin Eras Tour, which highlights the eight major epochs that have characterized "The Great 8" throughout the last two decades.