Blast from the past: Gretzky becomes NHL's all-time scoring leader
On Oct. 15, 1989, Wayne Gretzky scored two goals and an assist in his Los Angeles Kings' 5-4 victory against the Edmonton Oilers.
It would seem like another normal outing for Gretzky, but on his game-tying goal, he accomplished a feat that no one will likely ever top again.
With the Kings down 4-3, Gretzky found himself open in front of the crease. The puck swooped across to his backhand, and with one quick motion, he flicked it in the back of the net, beating goaltender Bill Ranford.
The goal was Gretzky's 1,851st point in the NHL, one point greater than the iconic Gordie Howe, making Gretzky the all-time leader in points.
#TBT: On 10/15/89, @OfficialGretzky surpassed Gordie Howe for most career NHL points. https://t.co/QRVzGqW9Ig
— NHL (@NHL) October 15, 2015
Howe spoke of how proud he was of Gretzky's accomplishment and that "he grew an inch taller than what he was in (his) mind."
Gretzky said it was fitting that he accomplished the record against the Edmonton Oilers. Gretzky amassed 1,669 of his points with the Oilers. He remains as Edmonton's all-time scorer.
By the end of Gretzky's NHL career, he compiled a staggering 2,857 points. He remains the NHL's top scorer, a full 970 points more than Mark Messier, the second-highest scorer in league annals.
(h/t NHL)
