Alex Ovechkin is just eight goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s seemingly untouchable NHL record, and “The Great One” doesn’t want to miss the historic moment.
Gretzky plans to follow Ovechkin from arena to arena as the Washington Capitals star closes in on his mark of 894 goals. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman will join him for the chase.
Ovechkin notched his 887th career goal against the San Jose Sharks last weekend, putting the record within reach with 14 games left this season.
It won’t be easy. The 38-year-old Russian sniper was held scoreless in Tuesday’s 4-1 win over Detroit, but he’s known for getting hot at the right time.
“Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit of the NHL’s all-time goal-scoring record is a major milestone not just for hockey, but across the entire sports world,” said Jon Weinstein, the league’s chief communications officer.
All it might take is one big night. Ovechkin has racked up 32 hat tricks in his career – scoring three goals in a single game. One more explosion like that would put him right on Gretzky’s doorstep.
The chase continues Thursday night when Ovechkin and the Capitals host the Philadelphia Flyers. The NHL is planning several ways to celebrate what could be one of the biggest moments in hockey history.
It’s a record many thought would stand forever. Gretzky set the mark over 20 seasons from 1979 to 1999, and now he’ll have a front-row seat to watch it potentially fall.
The clock is ticking – Ovechkin has until April 17, the Capitals’ final regular season game, to make history this year.
