Alex Ovechkin has tied Wayne Gretzky’s record of 894 goals in the NHL. However, there is one condition that makes his achievement all the more special – he wants to break the record without scoring an empty-net goal.
Ovechkin achieved this milestone on Friday night with a 5-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. He scored two goals and broke Gretzky’s record in the process. Ovechkin was seen telling his coach, Spencer Carbery, that he didn’t want to score an empty-net goal, but instead wanted to break the record while shooting the puck past a goalie.
Gretzky, who was present at the game, jokingly said that he would take all the empty nets he could get. Ovechkin has nine more empty-net goals than Gretzky did in his career.
The Capitals’ captain scored his 894th goal on a power play with 13:47 left in the third period and sealed the victory for his team. The game saw several notable moments, including Ryan Leonard scoring his first NHL goal on an empty net, and Ovechkin’s emotional celebration after breaking the record.
The NHL plans to stop the game and host a ceremony when Ovechkin breaks the record, which includes commissioner Gary Bettman, Ovechkin’s family, Gretzky, and Capitals owner Ted Leonsis. The same treatment was given to Gretzky 31 years ago when he broke Gordie Howe’s record.
Ovechkin has scored in four consecutive games and has 41 goals this season. He beat his teammate Jaromir Jagr for most ever on game-winning goals, and his record-breaking goal was seen as a special moment for the Capitals organization.
Source: https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/44537592/capitals-alex-ovechkin-ties-wayne-gretzky-894th-goal