“The record breaker is going to be an empty netter isn’t it? Ugh,” commented a fan when Alexander Ovechkin scored an open net goal a few weeks ago, bringing him closer to Wayne Gretzky‘s all-time NHL goal record. The reason for the criticism? To frame it simply, it’s all about the principles of hockey! Supporters are passionate, and they are opposed to witnessing Gretzky’s legendary record being surpassed by a goal scored into an empty net. Since fans feel so passionately about it, let’s break down Ovechkin’s many empty net goals. How many has he scored?

The answer to that question would have been zero if you asked it during his first NHL season. As per Statmuse, in the 2005-06 season, Alexander Ovechkin recorded no empty-net goals in his rookie year. That is truly remarkable! Subsequently, there were in fact several seasons during which he recorded no open net goals. The seasons of 2011-12, 2016-17, and 2020-21. In total, throughout his NHL career, Ovi has recorded 65 goals into an empty net. Did you know that he’s actually the leader for empty net goals scored? It’s true!

Ovechkin already tops that leaderboard, with Wayne Gretzky (56), Marian Hossa (40), Brad Marchand (38), and Sidney Crosby (38) rounding off the top-5. So while it’s understandable why some fans may take issue at Ovechkin’s empty netters, as Wayne Gretzky recently said, “I’ll take every empty net goal I could get. And I know you would too,” Besides, when you’ve scored 894 goals in the NHL, do 65 empty netters make that much of a difference? Those 65 goals only make up 7.2% of the total, after all.

When questioned about the subject on many occasions, the Capitals captain has often dismissed it with his usual casual demeanor. “Every game, every goal is hard to score in this league. If you want to try, take your skates and go six-on-five,” Ovechkin remarked. Is he strategizing to net an open goal, considering he requires just one more to surpass the all-time scoring record? Not quite.

Alexander Ovechkin wants the 895th to be special

The 39 year-old had the opportunity to score during their last game against the Chicago Blackhawks, when the Hawks pulled their goaltender in the closing minutes of the contest. But Alexander Ovechkin wasn’t having any of it, according to teammate Dylan Strome, who mentioned, “I asked him about 15 times. I didn’t want to be the guy to shoot it in the empty net if he wanted the empty netter…you don’t want to be the guy to shoot it into the empty net if he’s looking for it to pass, but he made it pretty clear that he didn’t want to get it on an empty netter, and you’ve got to respect his wishes.”

It’s all about leaving an impression in the realm of hockey. Ovechkin is determined that his 895th career goal won’t come from an empty net. So any fans worried about the same can rest in peace. It’s a fact that Ovechkin communicated explicitly after the game too.

“I tell him (Spencer Carbery) I don’t want empty net (for 895),” stated Alex Ovechkin after the game, mentioning that he has told his coach about the special goal. In his post-game intervewi, Spencer Carbery reiterated the same “He wants to break the record with the goaltender in the crease.” It’s a goal that will make history; it’s no surprise Ovechkin wants to score it with panache and flair.

This 895th goal is set to become a staple in highlight videos, promotional content, and various NHL-related media for years ahead. Rest assured, it’s unlikely anyone will surpass that record anytime soon, so it’s important that it be scored in a memorable way.

So Alex Ovechkin may have 65 empty net goals to his name but one thing’s for certain and it’s that number 66 will not be the one that makes history. With the Islanders vs. Capitals game already underway, Ovechkin will be flexing his muscles for a big finish.