Capitals Star Ovechkin Nears Gretzky’s Record as Teams Head to California

LOS ANGELES — The pursuit of hockey history heats up as Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin, just nine goals shy of Wayne Gretzky‘s NHL record of 894, prepares for a critical three-game California road trip. The Capitals face the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday followed by contests against the Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks, with all eyes on Ovechkin as excitement builds around his chase of the historic milestone.

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Ovechkin, who scored his 886th career goal in a recent victory over the Seattle Kraken, has captured the attention of fans and former players alike. “It’s amazing,” said Luc Robitaille, president of the Kings. “No matter what, everybody wants to see the game. I think everyone wants to be in the building seeing him live.” Ovechkin’s quest for the record echoes the atmosphere surrounding Gretzky’s pursuit of the previous record years ago.

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Robitaille is no stranger to the buzz. In 1994, as a teammate of Gretzky with the Kings, he assisted on Gretzky’s record-breaking 802nd goal against the Vancouver Canucks. “Every building we were going to, everybody was talking about it,” Robitaille recalled. “We knew we were going to be part of history, and it was incredible.”

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Ovechkin, 39, is in the midst of his 20th NHL season and continues to demonstrate a scoring prowess that has kept him among the league’s elite. With 33 goals in 49 games this season, he remains a critical asset for the Capitals, who are tied for first in the league standings.

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Former Kings forward Tony Granato expressed his own nostalgia and appreciation for Ovechkin’s journey. “You get special appreciation being part of something historic,” he said. “There’s a way history unfolds, and Ovi is doing that again right now.”

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Washington’s latest contest against the Kraken showcased Ovechkin’s skill. Although he struggled to score during two periods, he netted his 886th goal with just 1:29 left in the game, securing a 4-2 victory. His empty-net goal ignited cheers throughout Capital One Arena and marked a significant step toward Gretzky’s record.

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“Understanding the stakes of each game is crucial right now,” said Capitals defenseman John Carlson. “When the goalie is pulled, we are all thinking about Ovi getting that chance. It’s still a skilled play to score in that situation.”

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As Ovechkin gears up for the critical games in California, the pressure further intensifies. Gretzky himself admitted to feeling nervous when chasing records but was adept at maintaining focus. “He had this pressure on himself, but I never saw it affect his performance,” said former Kings goalie Kelly Hrudey. “It was like a circus around him, but he still played his game.”

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The Kings and Ducks are gearing up for Ovechkin’s history-making moments. His leadership has been pivotal, not just for the Capitals’ playoff aspirations but also in creating a captivating narrative for fans and players alike.

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Former Blackhawks analyst Granato noted, “The younger generation of hockey fans that weren’t around for Gretzky’s chase back in the early ’90s are witnessing something truly special. Ovechkin has earned all the accolades through hard work and passion.”

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As the Capitals embark on their west coast journey, Ovechkin’s pursuit is poised to capture the sports world’s attention. As Robitaille remarked, the age-old adage holds true: “The beauty of those moments is you know it’s coming.”