Midway through the first period of the Kings’ January 3, 1991 visit to the former Islanders’ arena, Gretzky backhanded home a pass from Brian Benning past New York’s Glenn Healy to register goal number 700. He added another pair later in the game to record a hat-trick.
Gretzky became just the fourth player in NHL history at the time to reach the milestone, behind Gordie Howe, former King Marcel Dionne, and Phil Esposito. Gretzky, who played eight more seasons thereafter, would surpass all three in goals scored, totaling 894, where he continues to sit atop the NHL record books today.