Alex Ovechkin made hockey history by scoring his 895th goal, overtaking Wayne Gretzky’s long-standing record for the most goals in NHL history. The achievement drew praise from fellow hockey stars, Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby, who have been his contemporaries for two decades.
“The Gr8 Chase,” as termed by Malkin, ended, marking “a great day for hockey, for all of us.” Malkin, who entered the NHL after Ovechkin in 2004, expressed admiration, stating, “Every year he is in the best shape, he never stops.”
Crosby, who entered the league slightly after Ovechkin and Malkin and has competed closely with Ovechkin, found the achievement hard to describe. “Playing against each other for 20 years… this one was probably thought to not be attainable, and he found a way to do it.”
The Washington Capitals played against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena, and Ovechkin’s historic goal was celebrated with a 15-minute ceremony. Both Crosby and Malkin appreciated the gesture. “Pretty cool historical moment and a pretty cool moment for hockey in general,” Crosby remarked.
While both players congratulated Ovechkin, Malkin humorously noted, “Now, he has a thousand messages, probably.” Crosby had also contacted Ovechkin when he tied the record against the Blackhawks. “That’s a pretty special moment,” Crosby added, reflecting on the long hockey history shared with Ovechkin.
Ovechkin and Crosby have defined one of the league’s great rivalries, with significant playoff matchups, including the notable 2009 Eastern Conference semifinals. Crosby expressed mutual respect for their competitive history, calling it “great for the game of hockey.”
Despite nearing forty, both Ovechkin and Crosby continue to excel. Ovechkin’s recent record comes alongside Crosby breaking another of Gretzky’s records. Malkin, reflecting on how far they’ve come, shared a nostalgic photo of himself and Ovechkin in their younger days.
Though Ovechkin remains focused on enjoying his achievement, Malkin emphasized, “He loves hockey so much… probably not a lot of guys believe this year he will break the record.”
The hockey world anticipates seeing more from these seasoned players, as retirement doesn’t seem to be on the immediate horizon.
