Hockey, history, hero, and the hero. It all sums up what the season has been so far! For the past few months, the hockey world has witnessed a hype, watching Alex Ovechkin getting closer to being immortal while chasing down the great Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record! Can legends truly be dethroned? Well, it was that something that the fans believed no one would ever touch! But with every game, every shot, and every roar from the crowd, it happened. Ovechkin didn’t just break the record but tore apart many doubts with every chase that made him the highest goal scorer in the league!

With 895 goals so far in the league, what followed was the NHL teams allowing the puck to hit the net, which added to his list of growing scores. Perhaps with the teams crumbling under pressure, every time the Washington Capitals star was on ice, it was their poor defenses, and missed marks that let the goalies tremble and become a part of Ovechkin’s unstoppable chase.

And here’s the most striking point that came from Sports Illustrated’s X account–“Alex Ovechkin’s career goals broken down by opponent 🤯.” While all 32 NHL teams helped Ovechkin get closer to his goal, each time the Capitals faced them, it was the Winnipeg Jets who became Ovechkin’s favorite target and made it easier for him! How?

The Jets handed him a staggering 57 goals! While on the flip side, it was the Utah Hockey Club, that barely gave the legend a glance to move forward—two goals while they guarded their net like they knew what was coming. But let’s face it. No team has ever worn the bruises of Ovechkin’s hit unless it’s the Jets. With a total of 102 points—57 goals and 45 assists—in just 75 games against them, the Capital star probably turned their defense into a personal playground!

“I think everybody did a good job battling out there and the puck came to [Protas] and he find me. Yeah, it was a pretty good play by everybody out there,” Ovechkin stated after losing to the Jets in one of the games. Well, the Jets may have denied the Capitals’ win, but they somehow still found a way to help Ovechkin chase his goal. Now that’s a crazy thing. But for Aliaksei Protas, he knew his job—better not be late to hand over the puck to the captain! Because who else can they rely on for an assured goal?

NHL teams building Alex Ovechkin’s legacy

The Jets sit atop the list of Ovechkin’s goals. But hey, 895 is a great number, and of course, other teams have significantly contributed to this record-breaking tally as well. So, who all sit in the list of top 5? Let’s begin with the Carolina Hurricanes and the Philadelphia Flyers allowing Ovechkin to score 52 goals against them. And the Tampa Bay Lightning? Oh, just 51 shots finding the back of their net. While these teams have caught themselves on the receiving end of the legend’s prowess, they highlight how consistently Ovechkin has challenged them. ​

And not too far behind, there’s the New York Rangers, offering 46 goals, while the Toronto Maple Leafs conceded 45, alongside the Florida Panthers and the New York Islanders. And then it comes. The final one, with the game against the Islanders when Ovechkin netted his historic 895th goal and boom—Gretzky’s longstanding record was surpassed. All thanks to the opponent goalie, Ilya Sorokin, who perhaps lost his chance to save the puck just when the milestone was achieved during the power play.

And what followed next allowed Ovechkin to etch his name atop the NHL’s all-time goal-scoring list. “I’m probably gonna need a couple more days or maybe a couple weeks to realize what does it mean to be No. 1. I’m really proud for myself. I’m really proud for my family, for all my teammates that help me to reach that milestone and for all my coaches. It’s huge, it’s unbelievable. It’s an unbelievable moment, and I’m happy,” the captain reflected. Indeed, a 4-1 loss, but still a joyous game for the Capitals. After all, it didn’t just highlight his determination, but served as a testament to a remarkable journey. ​