Alexander Ovechkin’s slow start to the 2023-24 season had many fans and pundits worried his chase for Hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL goals record would end prematurely.
The then-38-year old scored only eight goals in the Washington Capitals’ first 43 games. He eventually recovered to tally a healthy 31 by the end of the year.
This year, no such worry is necessary. Ovechkin has eight goals in Washington’s first 12 games of the year, now a 51-goal pace.
“Listen, it’s not a question of if he’s going to break the record, it’s a question of when is he going to break the record, which is great for the game,” Gretzky told the “NHL on TNT” crew Wednesday.
Ovechkin’s efforts to chase down Gretzky have given Washington some much-needed life to start the season. The team won its seventh straight home game Wednesday on the back of his 861st career goal.
That goal was his sixth in the past five contests, joining a short list of just two others in league history to own at least that long of a streak at age 39 or older.
“He’s chasing something special,” teammate Aliaksei Protas said (h/t RMNB). “The fact he’s doing it at 39 years old is unbelievable.”
Ovechkin is just 34 goals from passing Gretzky, and what has now been dubbed “The GR8 Chase” is fueling the team.
“Out bench just goes bananas every time, even when he gets a scoring chance,” head coach Spencer Carbery said. “When he touches the puck everybody sort of holds their breath a little bit.”
Washington’s 9-3-0 start is one of its hottest since the 2015-16 season, and Ovechkin’s historic record chase is adding extra energy to Capital One Arena.
“Everyone’s enjoying the ride,” linemate Dylan Strome said. “I think you can see on the bench how excited guys get when he scores. I think the whole arena gets a little bit extra jolt.”
