Alex Ovechkin is still chasing Wayne Gretzky’s goal record as the playoffs approach. Now, Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery has weighed in on whether Ovechkin will get any rest down the stretch—and his response was perfect.
Nobody thought it was possible, but Ovechkin now sits just seven goals away from breaking Gretzky’s all-time record. The Great One scored 894 goals during his legendary career, a number many believed was untouchable.
Ovechkin suffered a broken leg early in the 2024-25 season, but since returning, he hasn’t missed a beat. With 14 games left in the Capitals’ season, he needs just seven more goals to stand alone atop the NHL’s all-time scoring list. But at the same time, Washington is shaping up as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
Carbery’s response on Alex Ovechkin
The Washington Capitals are running away with the Eastern Conference, currently sitting 10 points ahead of the Carolina Hurricanes. Under normal circumstances, it might make sense to rest Ovechkin for part of the regular season to ensure he’s fresh for the playoffs.
That’s led many to wonder whether he’ll get any time off at all, given that a well-rested Ovechkin would boost Washington’s chances of making a deep playoff run. But he’s also on a mission to break one of the most prestigious records in NHL history.
On Tuesday, Carbery was asked about load management for his players, including Ovechkin—and his response couldn’t have been better.
“Can you imagine if I did that?… As long as he’s chasing the record, I doubt he’ll be sitting in section 304,” Carbery said.
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