Gretzky passed Hall of Famer Gordie Howe in 1994, and he held the record for 31 years and 14 days before Ovechkin toppled it on Sunday. The climb for Ovechkin was a long and steady one as the Washington Capitals superstar has cranked out one 40-goal season after another since his rookie season in 2005-06.

Watch the moment Russia's Alex Ovechkin becomes the National Hockey League's highest all-time scorer by hitting his 895th career goal.

Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky makes good on promise to be 'first guy to shake your hand' after Alex Ovechkin nets record-breaking 895th goal.

Alex Ovechkin is the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer, surpassing the legendary Wayne Gretzky. Ovechkin amassed this career total in a variety of ways. He had over 550 even-strength goals and 320 power-play goals,

Alex Ovechkin scoring his 895th career goal to break Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record reverberated quickly around hockey, sports and the rest of the world. Here are some of the reactions: “It was my honor to hold the National Hockey League goals record for the last three decades.

For NHL playoff goals, which do not count toward the record, Gretzky has the most (122). Ovechkin has 72. Gretzky also had another 56 in the World Hockey Association regular season and playoffs, while Ovechkin has 57 from his time in the KHL, Russia’s top league.

Alex Ovechkin made history when he scored against the New York Islanders on a power play in the second period.

Wayne Gretzky's 894 goals had been considered unbreakable. Alex Ovechkin moved past him with a goal Sunday against the New York Islanders.

Alex Ovechkin has broken Wayne Gretzky’s record for the most goals in NHL history by scoring the 895th of his career.