Alexander Ovechkin’s sluggish begin to the 2023-24 season had many followers and pundits nervous his chase for Hockey Corridor of Famer Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL objectives report would finish prematurely.
The then-38-year previous scored solely eight objectives within the Washington Capitals’ first 43 games. He finally recovered to tally a wholesome 31 by the tip of the 12 months.
This 12 months, no such fear is critical. Ovechkin has eight objectives in Washington’s first 12 video games of the 12 months, now a 51-goal tempo.
“Hear, it isn’t a query of if he will break the report, it is a query of when is he going to interrupt the report, which is nice for the sport,” Gretzky instructed the “NHL on TNT” crew Wednesday.
Ovechkin’s efforts to chase down Gretzky have given Washington some much-needed life to start out the season. The staff gained its seventh straight house recreation Wednesday on the again of his 861st career goal.
That aim was his sixth up to now 5 contests, becoming a member of a brief listing of simply two others in league historical past to personal at the very least that lengthy of a streak at age 39 or older.
“He is chasing one thing particular,” teammate Aliaksei Protas stated (h/t RMNB). “The very fact he is doing it at 39 years previous is unbelievable.”
Ovechkin is simply 34 objectives from passing Gretzky, and what has now been dubbed “The GR8 Chase” is fueling the staff.
“Out bench simply goes bananas each time, even when he will get a scoring probability,” head coach Spencer Carbery stated. “When he touches the puck everyone kind of holds their breath a little bit bit.”
Washington’s 9-3-0 begin is certainly one of its hottest for the reason that 2015-16 season, and Ovechkin’s historic report chase is including further power to Capital One Area.
“Everybody’s having fun with the trip,” linemate Dylan Strome stated. “I believe you may see on the bench how excited guys get when he scores. I believe the entire enviornment will get a little bit bit further jolt.”
