“What a day, huh?” said Alex Ovechkin. The score read 2-1 in favor of the New York Islanders, but everything had come to a halt to celebrate Ovechkin’s successful climb to the NHL summit. An emotional tribute video played on the UBS Arena jumbotron, following which his family, and Wayne Gretzky were invited to the middle of the rink. Capitals’ owner Ted Leonsis and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman also joined them as the Russian veteran was welcomed with stick taps on the ice. Teammates, rivals, executives, family—there was no difference. Everyone was united in fandom.

Naturally, Sidney Crosby couldn’t stay out of it either. After all, he knows a thing or two about greatness himself. Remember his 80th point of the season, where he became the first player to average a point per game for 20 consecutive NHL seasons? So there was no way he could stop himself from sharing words of admiration when Alex Ovechkin buried his 895th career goal.

And it came out via a heartfelt post shared by the Pittsburgh Penguins’ X handle. “Ovi, it’s been an honor to compete against you all these years,” began the Penguins captain, whose NHL debut came in the same season as Ovechkin’s. “Over that time, you have accomplished so many milestones, but this one was probably thought to be impossible, and you found a way to do it. Congratulations on scoring the most goals in NHL history. Hope you have a great night celebrating with your friends and family,” Crosby concluded.

The 895th goal hit the net on a second-period power play, all thanks to his longtime wingman, Tom Wilson, for setting it up—it all went down in his 1,487th NHL game. “It’s just an honor to be living through this and to see [what Ovechkin has accomplished]. You know,10-year-old me or 10-year-old any of us, to be in a room with Wayne and Ovechkin during this moment is so special,” Wilson said to the NHL. And can you believe that it’s the exact same number Gretzky played? Looks like fate had a hand in it.

Alex Ovechkin has spent his entire career battling it out in the Eastern Conference alongside Crosby, and the hockey world loved calling them rivals! After all, it was Ovechkin who narrowly beat Crosby to the Calder Memorial Trophy back in the 2005-06 season. And that sense of rivalry would only make Ovechkin push himself harder. “I think it’s just cool stuff when my first couple years there was a rivalry like Ovechkin-Crosby and everybody was pumped about it—the fans, you guys (the media). It would give you more motivation, more energy when you step on the ice,” he acknowledged the hype in an interview with Tom Gulitti. Now that’s pure respect between the two stars! But what are they planning for their next ventures?

Alex Ovechkin plans to have pints of beer alongside Crosby!

It seems like the beer shower in the dressing room wasn’t enough after Ovechkin tied the record last Friday! While the legend walked down to the room, teammates holding cans dripped it all over him while cheering for the greatness achieved. And this time too, when the puck hit the net to mark the end of the chase, it wasn’t too late when the crowd roared and the Capitals came skating to swarm their Captain. Well, the captain! A hug fest? Indeed, yes, but a warm and tight one. But then came the moment—a sudden realisation, kind of a thought that silenced the buzz for a while. Is Ovechkin retiring soon?

“Alex Ovechkin has said he wants to have a couple of beers with Sidney Crosby after they retire and reflect on it all,” said Michelle Crechiolo, the Pens’ inside scoop queen. With Ovechkin being the greatest goal scorer in NHL history and Crosby, yet another twinkling star with three Stanley Cups so far, they’ll have, what Crosby himself has said, “a lot to catch up on.”

As for Crosby’s own retirement plans, he is looking to go deep into the watch business. But there’s still time for that. For there’s till a lot of hockey magic, and perhaps a bit of on-ice rivalry, still left in Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby.