In Washington, amid a sea of cheering fans, Alex Ovechkin lifted a Bud Light, taking a casual sip as chants of “Ovi! Ovi!” resonated around him. Nearby, Wayne Gretzky, arguably the greatest goal scorer in NHL history, was right by his side. At this moment, they’ve both etched their names in the history books with 894 career goals each, after Ovechkin scored twice on Friday night, reaching a milestone many believed was untouchable. When prompted about what it felt like to be on the brink of history, Gretzky humorously interjected.
“Hold on a moment—he hasn’t actually done it yet,” Gretzky jested. “Maybe give me 24 more hours?” He indeed gets at least that respite. Ovechkin will have his next opportunity to surpass Gretzky in the game against the New York Islanders on Sunday afternoon.
Eyes will be glued to the 39-year-old Russian phenom, who reveled in celebrating the historic goal number 894 in front of Washington Capitals fans who have passionately supported him throughout his lengthy career. His mother, wife, children, and even Gretzky himself were present to witness the occasion. Reflecting on his journey to this point, Ovechkin reverted to his usual approach when asked about the prospect of breaking the record.
“It’s game by game; it’s shift by shift,” Ovechkin remarked. “You never know what’s gonna happen. We’re just going to enjoy it and keep doing our best, especially with six games left before the playoffs. Our focus is getting ready for the playoffs and playing right.”
Even with the playoffs looming, the Capitals are eager to help Ovechkin stake his claim on the record. “There’s a reason we’re trying to set him up: The guy’s scored 41 goals,” explained teammate Dylan Strome, who assisted on Ovechkin’s 893rd goal against Chicago. “It’s incredible.”
Should Ovechkin not add to his tally against the Islanders, the Capitals will face division rivals Carolina at home on Thursday night. However, within the team, there’s a sense of urgency to see Ovechkin surpass the milestone soon — a pressure Gretzky understands from his own experience of breaking Gordie Howe’s then-record of 801 goals back in 1994.
“People don’t realize it’s tough on teammates when someone’s chasing a record like this,” Gretzky shared. “It’s joyful and exciting, but they also feel the pressure, the stress, and handle the media.”—After all, history seems inevitable as they field questions about Ovechkin, who led the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup win and earned the 2018 playoff MVP title. Longtime teammate John Carlson, who assisted Ovechkin’s tying goal, reflected on the momentous atmosphere.
“In the last few games, you could feel the sense of anticipation,” Carlson stated. “On home ice, with such a significant accomplishment within reach for a player like him, the night felt different. From warmups to puck drop, some players are just larger than life, and it feels inevitable.”
Yet, inevitable until it’s clinched officially. As Gretzky prepared to exit the post-game event, he embraced Ovechkin and, with a wave, signed off with, “See you guys on Sunday.”