Alex Ovechkin continues to improve his all-time goals record. This weekend, he scored the 896th goal of his career against goalie Jet Greaves. After the game, the 24-year-old netminder shared his thoughts on allowing a goal from The Great Eight, putting a smile on every hockey fan’s face.
Ovechkin didn’t play in the Washington Capitals’ game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday due to rest, but he was back in the lineup on Sunday and wasted no time building on his freshly broken goals record. Ovechkin became the greatest goal-scorer in NHL history last week, officially passing Wayne Gretzky with career goal No. 895.
The Capitals played the Blue Jackets in back-to-back games, and after getting shut out on Saturday, they started Sunday’s game on a better note. Just 1:10 into the game, on his first shift, the Russian superstar blasted a one-timer past goalie Jet Greaves to give the Capitals a 1-0 lead.
Jet Greaves wholesome words
It was the first time Greaves, a 24-year-old goalie, played against Ovechkin. He became the 184th netminder Ovechkin has scored against, but he didn’t feel too bad about it. Quite the opposite, actually. His sincere words postgame about the experience, allowing a goal from the greatest goal-scorer of all time, put a smile on every hockey fan’s face.
“Yeah, I mean, obviously, it’s cool,” Greaves said, per RMNB. “I grew up watching him as a kid, and obviously, he’s the best goal-scorer of all time. So much respect for him, and his shot tonight was a great shot. It’s unreal to be able to compete against the best players in the world.”
Greaves has played nine games this season, three of which have come against the Washington Capitals, the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. In those three games, he holds a .967 save percentage.
“Yeah, no, it’s fun,” Greaves said. “It’s fun to challenge yourself against the best guys in the world. It’s awesome to have those opportunities to be in that situation. Just trying to keep the puck out of the net as always.”
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