The NHL regular season is in full swing and people have booked schedules for their favorite teams. Likewise, the broadcasters are also competing for the same to give hockey fans a tremendously better experience at better times. In a Wednesday update from an NHL insider, it was revealed that ESPN and ABC have changed schedules of broadcasting. What major broadcasting changes are we talking about? Let’s dive in!

NHL insider Braylon Breeze revealed on Wednesday that ESPN has made changes. Four of the five games of the Washington Capitals have been added, including two non-exclusive games. But the most important update is for the Columbus Blue Jackets. The franchise will be having its first ABC broadcasting appearance. And the man behind all these changes? Don’t doubt it- it’s the future Hall of Famer Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals. The April 12 game of Islanders vs Flyers has been removed. Instead, the Washington Capitals will be appearing against the Columbus Blue Jackets on that day at 12:30 ET.

Experts say the Blue Jackets can only have this opportunity because they are playing against Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. And who would be surprised to hear this? The Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin has scored a career-high 883 goals so far, and he is only 12 goals closer to breaking Wayne Gretzky‘s all-time goals record.

It is highly anticipated that Alex Ovechkin will complete the ‘Gr8 Chase’ in the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. There are 28 games left for the Washington Capitals in the regular season. Looks like Ovechkin would easily accomplish it within time. One more banger- remember his hat-trick against the Edmonton Oilers in the 7-3 game! The 39-year-old has absolutely destroyed his opponents this season. But let’s not beat around the bush and get to the meat- let’s talk about Alex Ovechkin’s all-time great chase. 

Alex Ovechkin-12 goals away from making history 

Alex Ovechkin entered the 2024-25 season with 853 career goals. And after a rocky path to a 58-38-12 win-loss record, the great eight is closer to something unprecedented. After each goal of the recent hat-trick, Alex Ovechkin‘s adorable gesture towards his son, Sergei, stole hearts. He skated all the way towards his son and gave him a fist bump against the glass. And absolutely no wonder Alex has made history in scoring at least 30 goals in his 19th season in the NHL.

He was 13 goals away before the February 25 game against the Calgary Flames. But scored his 883rd goal to move closer and closer to break Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record. The clock was ticking at 4:52 of the third period when Ovechkin took a pass from John Carlson on the power play to score a goal against Dan Vladar. The excitement has already skyrocketed because the Washington Capitals’ next game is Thursday against the St. Louis Blues. But you know what Wayne Gretzky himself has said about Ovechkin.

While talking to CNBC reporters and Alex Ovechkin’s changes this season to break his record, Wayne Gretzky said, I’m very proud of what I accomplished with the 894. Nothing can take anything away from that… I hope I’m the first guy to shake his [Ovechkin’s] hand when he does break the record…that’s progress in our sport.” There is only Gordie Howe who is line ranked 3rd with 801 goals. 

Well, whether Alex Ovechkin accomplished the feat in the game against the Blue Jackets or not, one thing is clear: the game of hockey is gonna be trending up forever. This season’s 4 nations face-off has already lit up American faces and no wonder, the game has reached unprecedented levels of viewership and interest.