"The Great 8" is standing side by side with "the Great One," and is poised to reach a new milestone.
With Wayne Gretzky watching from a suite at Capital One Arena, Alexander Ovechkin inched closer to history as he scored the 893rd and 894th goals of his career to tie the all-time NHL record.
The history-tying goal came halfway through the third period against the Chicago Blackhawks when he took the puck racing down the left wing and put it past the goalie during a Capitals power play.
Ovechkin dropped to his knees as the Capitals' bench stormed the ice to celebrate the historic goal while a sea of red-clad fans who packed the arena roared.
The Capitals' forward reached his 894th goal in a number of games that was one less than Gretzky's.
"That's OK," Gretzky said during a mid-game interview regarding Ovechkin tying his record. "That's what my dad told Gordie Howe way back in the day. That's what this game is all about.
"That's what this game is all about ... Alex has been great for Washington (Capitals) ... He's been great for his own country (Russia) ... And I'm very proud of him ... I'm proud of what he accomplished. And that's what makes our game so wonderful.
Ovechkin now has six games left in the regular season to become the leading goal-scorer in history, starting with the New York Islanders on Sunday afternoon.
The team leader of the Capitals apparently had the chance to play towards the end of the match and achieve a record-breaking goal along with a hat trick right here at their home arena. However, he informed his coaching staff that he does not wish to secure this record through scoring into an unguarded net.
Coach Spencer Carbery stated to journalists, "I value his desire to set a new record even when having a goalie in the net." He further mentioned, "He informed me about this on the sidelines, so I simply wanted to verify that he wasn’t thinking of quitting."
Even Ted Leonsis, the owner of the Capitals, joined in the celebration after the game, partying with the team and Gretzky in the locker room.
Wow, what a night. Wayne and Alex—are practically inseparable," Leonsis shared on social media. "They really set goals and surpass expectations. So much class—dignity and history all in one place.
Only one more goal away from being solo at the pinnacle. Wayne is undoubtedly the greatest player ever—and the most elegant gentleman—the game has ever seen.
Ovechkin has been on fire recently as he pursues this prestigious milestone, scoring goals in five out of his last six matches, positioning himself to create history.
Some players truly embody the essence of living large," John Carlson, who set up Ovechkin's goal, told journalists following the match. "Only a select few seem able to do so. It appeared as though it was bound to happen.
The NHL has committed to broadcasting all Capitals games nationwide for the remainder of the season as Ovechkin pursues the top spot in goal-scoring.
For those eager to see history unfold, tune in for the game between the Capitals and the Islanders at 12:30 p.m. on April 6th on TNT.
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