Alex Ovechkin's record chase is back on. His empty-net goal for the Washington Capitals in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs wasn't the most challenging goal among the 869 he's scored in the NHL, but it was significant considering it marked his return from a 16-game hiatus due to injury. "Every goal is hard to score in this league, so if you want to try, put on skates and go six on five," Ovechkin quipped after the game. With this tally, Washington's captain moved closer to Wayne Gretzky's record of 894 career goals, sitting just 25 back with 46 games remaining in the regular season.
Ovechkin's return came after suffering a fractured left fibula during a game against the Utah Hockey Club on November 18. Despite the absence, the 39-year-old forward indicated it didn't take long for him to reclaim his rhythm on the ice. "I tried to feel how I feel with the puck, mentally, physically. And as soon as the first shift ended, I was feeling like ‘OK, now I could play,'" he explained after the game.
Although he wasn't firing on all cylinders initially, Ovechkin made his presence known on the ice. He participated for 14 minutes and 58 seconds, recording three shots on goal and three hits before sealing the game with his empty-net goal late in the third period. Tom Wilson, his teammate, expressed excitement about Ovechkin's return, stating, "I'm sure you guys are excited. We're excited when he's walking out to the ice. People are like climbing on top of each other to get videos of him. He's taking the hockey world on a crazy ride right now, and it's rock star stuff!"
During Ovechkin's absence, the Capitals managed to hold their ground, posting a respectable 10-5-1 record. The team has been maneuvering under the guidance of head coach Spencer Carbery, who led them to a 24-9-2 record, just one point behind the New Jersey Devils atop the Metropolitan Division.
Looking toward the future, Ovechkin acknowledged the upcoming challenge of staying resilient through the stretch of games as he aims to regain his pre-injury pace: "I have to find a rhythm, feel the game, and try to do the little things. Practice is one thing. The game happens so quickly, so you have to be ready for it."
Before the injury, Ovechkin started his season off with red-hot form, leading the league with 15 goals over his first 18 games. Currently, he has 16 goals and 10 assists through the season, displaying impressive productivity even with the time off. If he continues on his current pace of goals, he would reach 42 by season’s end—enough to overcome Gretzky’s longstanding record if he maintains this scoring ability.
With the Capitals facing the Detroit Red Wings on December 29, Ovechkin looks to build momentum as he closes in on breaking one of the sport’s most formidable records. Ovechkin remarked on his goal-scoring feat, saying, "It’s nice to be back on the board." The anticipation surrounding his chase of Gretzky is palpable among fans and commentators alike.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has already pledged to follow Ovechkin closely as he approaches the coveted number set by Gretzky, showcasing how monumental this chase is for the entire hockey community.
Ovechkin’s pursuit, fueled by the desire to enter history books not just for his extraordinary talent but also for his resilience, has revived interest in the Capitals as they seek playoff contention, bolstered by Ovechkin's iconic status and on-ice performance.
Ovechkin has proven to be more than just another player on the roster; he is the heartbeat of the Capitals, and with the season moving forward, everyone’s eyes are fixed on his extraordinary pursuit of greatness.
Whether Ovechkin will topple Gretzky's long-held record within the current season remains to be seen, but there's no doubt his long-standing career has made its mark well beyond the ice.
