President Vladimir Putin on Monday lauded Russian ice hockey star Alexander Ovechkin for surpassing all the sport's other legends in a dazzling career that the Kremlin chief said was a cause for celebration for fans across Russia and the world.

Here is everything Ovechkin said in his postgame press conference after breaking Gretzky's all-time goals record: On how it feels to break Wayne Gretzky's record: "To be honest wi

After scoring his 895th goal against the New York Islanders on Sunday, Alex Ovechkin is now officially the greatest goal-scorer in NHL history. Ovechkin's pursuit of Gretzky took 20 years, and he has piled up some eye-popping career numbers along the way.

Gretzky, back then at least, was more than a hockey player to Canadians. He was homegrown royalty, a player of such quality, of such rare possibility, that he transcended the game we’ve always used to define ourselves.

The Athletic has live coverage of Alex Ovechkin’s journey to break Wayne Gretzky’s career goal record. WASHINGTON — Sometime soon — Sunday maybe, perhaps Thursday — Alex Ovechkin will reach the summit.

Alex Ovechkin stands alone as the most prolific goal-scorer in NHL history. The Washington Capitals legend passed Wayne Gretzky on the all-time scoring list with his 895th career goal in the second period of Sunday's game against the New York Islanders.

With the excitement of a child, the 39-year-old belly-flopped onto the ice as tens of thousands of fans around him cheered and chanted, “Ovi! Ovi!” while teammates streamed off the bench, mobbing