WASHINGTON — Alex Ovechkin needs to be the NHL’s all-time objective chief, however beneath one situation.
“I do not want an empty internet,” Ovechkin mentioned.
Ovechkin tied Wayne Gretzky’s list of 894 objectives with two tallies within the Washington Capitals’ 5-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night time.
Then again, when the Blackhawks pulled goalie Spencer Knight past due within the 3rd duration with the Capitals forward 4-3, Ovechkin looked as if it would inform trainer Spencer Carbery “no” and sat in the midst of the bench.
“He needs to wreck the list with a goaltender within the crease, which I respect,” Carbery mentioned. “He advised me that at the bench, and I simply sought after to substantiate that he did not need to move out. And it is exhausting for us as coaches as a result of I simply sought after to ensure in that second: hat observe, at house. And he did not need to move out and rating on an empty internet to wreck the list. We have now six video games left, and he needs to wreck the list and feature that second the place he is capturing the puck previous a goalie.”
Editor’s Selections
2 Comparable
Ovechkin mentioned it wasn’t simply Carbery who requested him past due within the recreation.
“I inform Carbs immediately, ‘I do not need to do it.’ Stromer [Dylan Strome] question me, Carly [John Carlson] question me, everyone question me, ‘Do you wish to have it? Do you wish to have it?'” Ovechkin mentioned. “I mentioned let’s wait.”
Ovechkin mentioned this at a information convention whilst sitting subsequent to Gretzky, who quipped: “I’m going to take the entire empty nets I will be able to get.” Ovechkin has 9 extra empty-net objectives than Gretzky did in his profession.
Rookie Ryan Leonard scored at the empty internet for his first profession objective to seal the victory.
“The younger guy that were given his first objective this night mentioned, ‘Simplest have 895 to visit cross Alex,'” Gretzky mentioned with a grin.
“I am glad for Leno,” Ovechkin mentioned. “He rating his first NHL objective. The child have a perfect long run. This night is an implausible night time for our group, for hockey, for D.C. Wayne Gretzky noticed that, and it is incredible.”
As soon as Leonard scored and Knight returned, Ovechkin used to be in a position to strike once more. The 39-year-old took 4 photographs over the general 1 minute, 18 seconds of recreation time, to no avail.
“I’ve beautiful just right probabilities within the ultimate minute,” Ovechkin mentioned, sooner than joking: “If Stromer give me a pleasant cross, like a flat one, it will be most likely be in.”
The record-tying objective had all of the Capitals workforce spilling onto the ice, adopted by way of a longer birthday celebration the place Ovechkin took a number of laps, fist-bumped his son Sergei who used to be sitting at the glass, bowed to the suite the place Gretzky used to be sitting and blew kisses to the gang.
“You simply cannot script these things,” Carbery mentioned. “It is proper on logo for O. He has an aptitude for the dramatics.”
1,788 objectives scored between those two or additionally 894 apiece#Gr8Chase percent.twitter.com/wYL0R3Ocjw
— x – Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 5, 2025
After the sport, Blackhawks gamers stayed at the ice to do a handshake line with Ovechkin.
“Clearly very stylish by way of the Hawks group what they did this night for ‘O,’ and it is as just right because it will get,” Capitals winger Tom Wilson mentioned. “We have now extra to look ahead to confidently, however this used to be an out of this world night time.”
The Japanese Convention-leading Capitals subsequent play Sunday towards the Islanders on Lengthy Island, New York, one among six final regular-season video games on their agenda.
When Ovechkin breaks the list, the NHL plans to forestall the sport and host a seven- to 10-minute rite that includes commissioner Gary Bettman, Ovechkin’s circle of relatives, Gretzky and Capitals proprietor Ted Leonsis. There shall be speeches and a video tribute. The similar remedy used to be given to Gretzky 31 years in the past when he broke Gordie Howe’s list, with Howe available. Bettman gave Gretzky a e-book with recreation sheets as a present.
Ovechkin has scored in 4 consecutive video games and has 41 objectives this season, 10 approaching empty nets. He beat Knight 3:52 into the primary duration Friday then scored his 894th on an influence play with 13:47 left within the 3rd. It proved to be his 136th recreation winner, breaking a tie with Jaromir Jagr for many ever.
There used to be an air of mystery round Friday’s morning skate, the place Ovechkin’s temper used to be lighthearted. The Capitals captain used to be continuously smiling and guffawing, particularly when he were given off the ice and interacted with a number of of his former Stanley Cup-winning teammates — Nicklas Backstrom, TJ Oshie, Braden Holtby, Brooks Orpik, Devante Smith-Pelly — who have been venerated in a pregame rite later that night time as a part of the Capitals’ fiftieth anniversary season. Ovechkin had a contingent of family and friends on the town for Friday’s recreation, some who’re staying at his area.
“Easiest bathe of my lifestyles” percent.twitter.com/gsOM9EabrV
— x – Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 5, 2025
However the giant visitor used to be Gretzky, who flew in to look his list get damaged. He had held the list for 11,334 days, since March 23, 1994.
“I am so pleased with the truth that I am right here this night,” Gretzky mentioned throughout media availability within the first intermission. “The commissioner and I talked the opposite day, and Alex mentioned do not come till I am getting to 2. I assumed the day gone by, ‘Gosh, we higher get at the aircraft and rise up there as a result of he may get 3 this night.’ When he scored 4 mins in, I assumed, ‘Oh my god, we may be able to depart after the primary duration.'”
Bettman has dedicated to following Ovechkin till he breaks the list, a adventure that started Wednesday in Raleigh, North Carolina. Gretzky mentioned he and his spouse, Janet, shall be in Lengthy Island on Sunday.
Gretzky and Ovechkin had texted incessantly within the days main as much as Friday’s recreation or even FaceTimed. Ovechkin has spoken about how appreciative he’s of Gretzky’s make stronger — which to Gretzky used to be a no brainer.
“The integrity of the sport,” Gretzky mentioned. “When I used to be breaking Gordie Howe’s list, he used to be there. And I mentioned two years in the past that if Alex will get with reference to my list, I’m going to be right here. That is the Nationwide Hockey League, Beliveau to Howe, Orr, Lemieux, Messier, you cross it down.”
