When Wayne Gretzky retired, many viewed his NHL records as unbeatable. Throughout arguably the best NHL career of all time, Gretzky scored 894 goals—more than anyone else. Now, however, Alex Ovechkin appears to be on the brink of making history.
Ovechkin has looked unstoppable at the start of the season, leading the Capitals to an impressive and surprising 9-3 record. The Russian superstar has always been a goal-scoring machine, but last year he started slowly, taking 34 games to reach seven goals.
This year, it only took him eleven games, and he’s currently on a five-game goal streak. During this run, Ovechkin has scored six goals, including the game-winner against the Nashville Predators on Wednesday, bringing him one goal closer to The Great One’s all-time record.
Ovechkin’s closing in on Gretzky
Ovechkin is now only six game-winners away from breaking Jaromir Jagr’s all-time record of 135 career game-winning goals—a milestone he may very well reach this season. But it’s the all-time goal record that fans are most eager about. Ovechkin’s hot start means he’s only 34 goals away from surpassing Gretzky for the top spot.
Ovechkin is currently on pace for 55 goals this season, which, if maintained, would allow him to break Gretzky’s record around the 66th game of the season (fittingly, that game is against the LA Kings, Gretzky’s former team).
Gretzky refused to give Alex Ovechkin a stick
Wayne Gretzky appeared on NHL on TNT on Wednesday and, of course, had the opportunity to discuss Ovechkin’s pursuit of his record. The Great One stated that it’s a great thing for hockey when—Wayne made sure to say “when,” not “if”—Ovechkin eventually breaks the record. Gretzky also shared a memorable story from years ago about a special request Ovi had for him.
Alexander Ovechkin is known for having one of hockey’s most impressive stick collections, which he’s been building since his rookie season. Some of the sticks are autographed, some have personalized messages to Ovi, and the collection even includes game-used sticks from Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky.
READ MORE: How Wayne Gretzky changed Mario Lemieux’s entire career
However, Ovechkin’s quest for The Great One’s stick wasn’t easy; he had to pull off an enormous achievement to obtain it.
On the TNT broadcast, Gretzky revealed that when Ovechkin first asked about a game-used stick from the GOAT, Gretzky responded that he’d only give it to him if he won the Stanley Cup. The Capitals finally achieved this in 2018, and it didn’t take long afterward for Gretzky to get a call from Ovechkin.
”When he won the Stanley Cup, the next day he said, ’Can I get that stick?’ I think he should’ve enjoyed the Cup more than my stick,” Gretzky said, laughing.
