Alexander Ovechkin continues to rewrite the history books.
The Washington Capitals sniper scored two goals during Friday's game against the Ottawa Senators, giving Ovechkin 695 career NHL goals. That total moves the Russian winger ahead of Hall-of-Famer Mark Messier for eighth place on the all-time list.
8. Alex Ovechkin (695)
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 1, 2020
9. Mark Messier (694)
Another game, another player passed. @ovi8 keeps on climbing!!#ALLCAPS #Gr8 pic.twitter.com/5jTEiRdeoq
MORE: Ovechkin honors Kobe Bryant, wears No. 24
His first goal of the night was classic Ovechkin, as the 34-year-old glided into the offensive zone with the puck and snapped a low shot past Senators goalie Marcus Hogberg. Ovechkin used two of his teammates as decoys, freezing the Ottawa defensemen long enough to unleash the shot from in close.
Ovechkin then scored an empty-net goal with just 15 seconds remaining in the game to earn No. 695 and pass Messier. Fans at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa chanted Ovechkin's name as the clock wound down on the Capitals' 5-3.
Sens fans with the "Ovi" chants after he passes Mark Messier on the NHL all-time goals list (📽️: @TSN_Sports) pic.twitter.com/Hl0A6Yw6O2
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) February 1, 2020
For his part, Messier offered his congratulations to the NHL's new eighth-leading goal scorer, calling Ovechkin "a rare combination" of "skill, shot, and grit."
With @ovi8 passing him on the all-time goals list, Mark Messier shows his appreciation for what the @Capitals captain brings to the table. #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/9VjlHPzoJO
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 1, 2020
Next up on the list for Ovechkin is Mike Gartner, whose 708 career goals is 13 more than the Capitals star's current total. Washington's No. 8 has 37 goals so far this season.