Auston Matthews Sends Message to Alex Ovechkin After Breaking All-Time Goal Record

Alex Ovechkin broke Wayne Gretzky's career NHL goals record, a stat once thought to be untouchable, with his 895th in today's match against the New York Islanders.

Ovechkin scored in the second period on fellow Russian Ilya Sorokin, a netminder he has never netted a goal against, moving past Gretzky on the NHL's all-time goals list, having tied 'The Great One' the game prior against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Ovechkin now holds the league's all-time goals record in sole possession of first place, officially in the record books with one of the NHL's most important feats.

Now having broken the goals record, Alex Ovechkin has been given a personal message by one of the league's current best goalscorers in Auston Matthews.

"Ovi, congrats on breaking the all-time goals record. One of my favorite players since you came into the league. Loved watching you, it's been an honor to compete against you. Incredible, incredible records so congrats to you".

Matthews was eight years old when Ovechkin entered the NHL after having been the first overall pick in the 2004 NHL Draft, having missed what would have been his rookie year with the Washington Capitals due to the 2005 NHL lockout.

As a rookie, Ovechkin finished T-3rd in goals with 52 and points with 106, beating Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby to win the Calder Trophy as the league's best rookie in the start of one of Hockey's greatest rivalries.

Ovechkin has an all-time NHL record 9X leading the league in goals in a season. Matthews is currently at three.

Matthews has 398 career NHL goals, 7th all time before the age of 28. Ovechkin 11th at the same period, although in 22 less NHL games.

Perhaps the most likely player to potentially break what is now Alex Ovechkin's NHL goals record, Auston Matthews honors the player who helped make him one of the greatest scorers in the game.