On Sunday, a remarkable sports milestone was achieved that many thought would never be broken. The Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin netted his 895th career NHL goal against the New York Islanders, surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s historic all-time goals record. Hockey fans were fortunate, as Ovechkin’s landmark goal was aired nationally on TNT and locally on the Monumental Sports Network.
Veteran play-by-play announcer Kenny Albert called the action for TNT, exclaiming, “Here he is. Ovechkin. Shoots. He scores! He scores! Number 895!” during the thrilling moment.
ALEX OVECHKIN MAKES HISTORY WITH 895!! 🔥🏒8⃣
Kenny Albert on the call for TNT 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/4gy70dItSm
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 6, 2025
For the local Capitals broadcast, Joe Beninati, who has been the television voice of the team since Ovechkin’s rookie season in 2005, delivered his own electrifying call: “Cross-ice. Ovechkin. Fires. Scores! The chasing days are done! Alex Ovechkin is the greatest goal scorer in the history of the NHL!”
“THE CHASING DAYS ARE DONE. ALEX OVECHKIN IS THE GREATEST GOAL SCORER IN THE HISTORY OF THE NHL!!”
Joe Beninati on the call for Monumental Sports Network for Ovi’s historic goal 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/zwJZIDYA6m
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 6, 2025
Beninati’s partner, Monumental Sports analyst Craig Laughlin, expressed his gratitude for witnessing such a momentous occasion—having just returned to the booth after recovering from open-heart surgery. He shared, “Watching that, to me, I was just like, frozen.”
Craig Laughlin, who recently returned to the Monumental Sports booth after recovering from open-heart surgery, expresses his gratitude for witnessing history today:
“Watching that, to me, I was just like, frozen.” pic.twitter.com/ryYfDYveaL
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 6, 2025
“He’s a special guy. And I just had a good feeling about this. I’m so glad I’m back in the booth. I feel like I never left, but I did. And watching that, to me, I was just like, frozen. There’s nothing that I could have ever said or done because I had to watch in amazement that shot going in for the all-time record,” said Laughlin. Both broadcasts received widespread acclaim for their commentary.
I keep coming back to Kenny Albert’s goal call—and somehow, I’m even more blown away by it than I expected. We’ll be hearing this one for years to come. https://t.co/jErBpLeQV9
— Braylon Breeze (@Braylon_Breeze) April 6, 2025
.@KennyAlbert crushed this historic call. One of the most underrated broadcasters ever. pic.twitter.com/XQYoeLcPZs
— Jake Asman (@JakeAsman) April 6, 2025
The hometown Capitals announcer Joe Beninati’s call of Ovechkin’s record-breaking goal. He was there to call goal #1 and just got to call goal #895. Chills. pic.twitter.com/c2f5rEGHVj
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) April 6, 2025
Joe Beninati with an unreal call 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/RHmTrKoID6
— Brovechkin (@FrankTheTank454) April 6, 2025
