Watch: Ovechkin passes Howe into second place in NHL career goals

Alex Ovechkin surpassed Gordie Howe to become the second-highest scorer in NHL history with his two goals against the Winnipeg Jets on Friday, taking his career tally in the league to 802.

Ovechkin equalled Howe’s total of 801 goals with a wrist shot with 1:28 left in the first period, and was mobbed by his Washington Capitals teammates as he celebrated.

The Russian added his second goal late in the third period with another wrist shot after being set up by Evgeny Kuznetsov to secure a 4-1 win with his 22nd goal of the season.

After Ovechkin’s teammates all came on the ice to celebrate with him, there was a video message of congratulations from Mark Howe, son of Gordie, and himself an NHL Hall of Famer, before Ovechkin then took a spin around the ice to acknowledge the cheers of the crowd.

Wayne Gretzky, who retired in 1999, tops the all-time goals list with 894. Canadian Howe was the first ever to reach 800 goals in February 1980 and finished his career with one more.

Ovechkin, 37, became the second-highest NHL scorer in his 1,310th career game, surpassing Howe’s record in 457 fewer games played.

“Every milestone, it’s a special moment, I think, for the whole organization, for me and, obviously, for my family,” Ovechkin said.

“It is nice to get it done at home in front of our house, family and friends and fans obviously,” he added.

“It is a tremendous feeling obviously, we just have to keep going and we will see what will happen,” said the Russian.

Washington won the game 4-1.