In a thrilling chapter of NHL history, Alex Ovechkin is rapidly closing in on Wayne Gretzky's legendary goal record. With his recent achievement of scoring his 892nd goal, Ovechkin has extended his goal streak to three games, moving within just three goals of breaking Gretzky's long-standing record of 894 goals. This exciting moment came during the Washington Capitals' 5-1 defeat to the Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center on Wednesday.
Ovechkin is set to have a chance to tie and potentially surpass Gretzky's record during an upcoming game against the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday at 7 p.m. ET. Fans are anticipating an electric atmosphere at Capital One Arena as Gretzky himself is expected to be in attendance. Ovechkin has the opportunity to equal the record with two goals and to break it with a hat trick.
Despite the pressure of being so close to the record, Ovechkin remains calm, stating, “it feels the same” to be in this position. Capitals defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk echoed the excitement, saying, “It’s going to be pretty crazy.” The team is motivated by Ovechkin's impressive scoring rate, which has positioned him as a key player in their season.
Ovechkin's pursuit of the record has garnered support from a growing contingent of admirers, including NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, Capitals owner Ted Leonsis, and Ovechkin’s wife, Nastya. She was present during a recent game in Boston, where Ovechkin scored his 891st goal in a thrilling 4-3 victory against the Boston Bruins.
Wayne Gretzky has publicly supported Ovechkin's quest, predicting during the 2020 NHL All-Star Game that Ovechkin had “a legitimate chance” to break the record. In recent comments, Gretzky noted, “It's just a matter of time, whether it's late this year, early next year, whenever.” Ovechkin expressed gratitude for Gretzky's support, acknowledging their relationship and the impact it has on his journey.
Wayne Gretzky has held the NHL goals record since March 29, 1999, when he scored his 894th goal while playing for the New York Rangers. Many believed this record would remain unbroken, but Ovechkin's remarkable career has proven otherwise. Commissioner Bettman highlighted the significance of this moment, stating, “It's historic and it's a testament to both Wayne and to Alex.”
Ovechkin's 892nd goal was a standout moment in a challenging game for the Capitals, who have struggled recently, losing four out of their last five games. The goal was a classic Ovechkin one-timer from the left circle, scored during a 5-on-3 power play, showcasing his exceptional talent.
With his recent goal, Ovechkin has now scored 190 goals on one-timers from the left circle, including 136 on the power play, demonstrating his prowess as a goal scorer. This latest goal also marked his 323rd overall power-play goal, reinforcing his reputation as one of the most dangerous players in NHL history.
Notably, Ovechkin has tied Dave Andreychuk for the second-most goals scored against the Carolina Hurricanes franchise, with 52 goals. His scoring ability continues to shine brightly, as he leads the Capitals and is tied with Tage Thompson for third in the NHL with 39 goals this season, despite missing 16 games due to injury.
As Ovechkin approaches this historic milestone, the anticipation among fans and players alike is palpable. Capitals center Pierre-Luc Dubois expressed hope that Ovechkin will achieve the record on Friday, saying, “I think everybody would love to have it on Friday night, him and us, for him to get that record.” With the stage set for an unforgettable evening, fans eagerly await what could become a historic moment in NHL history.
