Within the next 30 hours, the NHL community could witness Alex Ovechkin ascend to the pinnacle of all-time goals scored. As soon as the Russian hockey star sends the puck into the opponent’s net, he will surpass Wayne Gretzky’s legendary all-time goal record in the NHL. Achieving this milestone took Ovechkin considerable time and years of unwavering commitment to the Washington Capitals. At long last, the culmination of those efforts has borne fruit, and only time will reveal how he will achieve that elusive goal that everyone eagerly anticipates.

Do you recall the criticism Ovi faced due to several open net goals he scored while pursuing that all-time goal record? It also managed to capture the attention of the Great One himself. However, Ovechkin did promise that he won’t be scoring the 895th goal of his career as an open-netter. “I tell him [Spencer Carbery] I don’t want empty net (for 895), ” he said. So what is the Great One’s position on this matter?

At a recent press conference featured on the Washington Capitals’ official YouTube channel, Wayne Gretzky expressed his views on the open net goals and the surrounding criticism, saying, “I felt really bad for the youngster who had the breakaway in the empty net. I kept thinking, okay, do you go around the net? I tell I don’t want to empty net. Yeah. Okay. I’ll take every empty net goal I could get. And I know you would too.”

During his time in the NHL, Gretzky recorded a total of 56 goals scored into empty nets throughout his career. Comparing it to Ovechkin, the Russian hockey star has 9 more than the Canadian legend. Although the Great One candidly acknowledged that he would have seized every opportunity, regardless of whether it was an open net, had he been playing in the NHL today.

In simpler terms, even if they are open netters, they wouldn’t matter much to the hockey legend, as in the end, it will get added to the statistics. However, did you know that this isn’t the first occasion on which Gretzky has expressed his admiration for Ovi?

Wayne Gretzky has sensed it for a long time

Recall the moment when Wayne Gretzky commented on Alex Ovechkin, expressing, “It’s not even a question that he will pass me, and I think it’s great. He’s well on his way to 40 or 50 goals this year, maybe more. There is no doubt that ultimately he will break the record.” In 2021, it appears that the Great One foresaw the events that would unfold in the coming years.

Gretzky has repeatedly voiced his admiration and backing for Alex Ovechkin’s quest to claim the NHL all-time goals record. On numerous occasions, the Canadian hockey legend has recognized Ovi as one of the finest talents in the sport. Additionally, Gretzky conveyed his excitement about witnessing Ovechkin surpass his record in real-time.

The moment we’ve all been anticipating has arrived. The Caps captain is poised to potentially secure that record tomorrow as they face off against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena. Although this may not be the Caps’ home game, it is certain to attract a host of notable figures eager to witness the historic moment of the all-time goal record being shattered in real time.