Alex Ovechkin is just one goal away from becoming the greatest goal-scorer in NHL history. The Washington Capitals star tied Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record of 894 goals with a two-goal performance against the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night.
He could’ve broken the record right then and there. But Ovechkin showed why he’s not just a great player – he’s also got style.
With an empty net staring at him late in the game, Ovechkin stayed on the bench. He wanted his historic goal to come against a real goalie, not an empty cage.
“He wants to break the record with the goaltender in the crease, which I appreciate,” Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said. “He told me that on the bench – he didn’t want to go back out.”
Now hockey fans everywhere are holding their breath for Sunday’s game against the New York Islanders. That’s when the 39-year-old Russian superstar will get his next shot at history.
What’s really amazing? Ovechkin just locked up his 14th 40-goal season – that’s two more than Gretzky ever had.
The Islanders might be in trouble. Ovechkin loves playing against them, with 44 goals in 71 career games against New York.
Want to watch history in the making? Here’s what you need to know:
The game starts at 12:30 p.m. ET on Sunday at UBS Arena in New York. You can catch it on TNT and truTV, or stream it on fubo.
Ovechkin’s got six more games this season to claim the record for himself. But something tells us we won’t have to wait that long.
