Alex Ovechkin equaled Wayne Gretzky`s NHL record for career goals by scoring twice against the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night. Despite having an opportunity to take the lead with an empty-net goal in the game`s final moments, Ovechkin chose not to, stating he preferred to break the record by scoring on a goalie.
Ovechkin`s second goal of the game, which also gave him the most game-winning goals in NHL history, brought his career total to 894, tying him with Gretzky. When the Blackhawks removed their goalie, Spencer Knight, late in the third period, Ovechkin decided to stay on the bench.
In a joint press conference with Gretzky, the Washington Capitals captain explained that he didn`t want to surpass `The Great One` with an empty-net goal.
`I told him I don`t want an empty net goal,` Ovechkin said. `Everyone is asking me, but I say `let`s wait.“
TV cameras showed Ovechkin seemingly declining to go on the ice when approached by coach Spencer Carbery with less than two minutes remaining. Carbery confirmed that Ovechkin wants to break the record by scoring against a goalie.
`He wants to break the record with the goaltender in the net, which I respect,` Carbery said. `He didn`t want to go out… He told me that on the bench, and I just wanted to confirm he didn`t want to go back out.`
Carbery also mentioned that Ovechkin was eager to return to the game once the Capitals had secured the win with an empty-net goal scored by another player.
`When the goalie returned, he definitely wanted to get back on the ice,` Carbery added.
The beneficiary of Ovechkin`s decision was Leonard, who was playing only his third NHL game after recently joining from Boston College. Leonard scored his first NHL goal on the empty net, and Gretzky gave him the puck after the game in the locker room.
Ovechkin`s next chance to score his 895th goal will be against the New York Islanders on Sunday afternoon. Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin can anticipate a barrage of shots from his fellow countryman in that game.
