NHL star Alex Ovechkin kept scoring in his pursuit of the record, and Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov couldn’t help but draw comparisons to basketball legend Michael Jordan.
Kucherov said that watching “The Last Dance” documentary made him realize that Ovechkin is driven by a desire to break records and prove himself. This mindset gets personal for Ovechkin, who is determined to succeed despite the challenges he faces.
Ovechkin entered the season needing 42 goals in 82 games to surpass Wayne Gretzky’s record of 894. Despite missing 16 games with an injury, he scored his 42nd goal on Sunday, advancing him closer to the milestone.
Kucherov praised Ovechkin’s dedication and work ethic, saying that his ability to perform at a high level even at 39 years old is an inspiration to many players in the league. The forward also highlighted the importance of teamwork, citing how he and teammate Steven Stamkos are able to make shots on goal from the circle.
Ovechkin broke Gretzky’s record with a shot past goalie Ilya Sorokin, with Kucherov noting that the combination of Ovechkin’s skills and Stamkos’ passing was “something special”. With five regular-season games remaining, Ovechkin is poised to make history and solidify his legacy as one of the greatest goal-scorers in NHL history.
Source: https://www.nhl.com/news/alex-ovechkin-praised-by-nikita-kucherov-for-nhl-goals-record