Alex Ovechkin Refuses to Break Wayne Gretzky's All-Time Goal Record with Empty Net
By Jack Baer, Staff Writer
April 5, 2025 at 9:37 AM GMT+6
Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin has made it clear he wants to break Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record the right way.
In a recent game against the Chicago Blackhawks, Ovechkin found himself with an opportunity to score his 895th career goal — a goal that would set him apart from Gretzky’s iconic 894. With two goals already in the third period, tying Gretzky’s record, Chicago pulled their goalie while trailing 4-3, giving Ovechkin a clear shot at an empty net.
However, the Capitals captain, known for his fierce respect for the game, opted not to capitalize on the open opportunity. In a brief exchange with head coach Spencer Carbery, Ovechkin made it clear he wasn’t interested in breaking the record in such a manner.
“I don’t want it that way,” Ovechkin said after the game, confirming that he had intentionally declined the empty-net chance. It was an understandable decision for a player who has spent nearly two decades building his legendary career and wants his 895th goal to be a moment for the ages, not a mere footnote.
While Ovechkin sat out the open-net chance, rookie Ryan Leonard took the ice and netted his first career goal. Chicago then reinstated goalie Spencer Knight, and Ovechkin re-entered the game, coming tantalizingly close to a hat trick and the record-breaking goal. Despite four shot attempts in the final two minutes, Knight stood tall, preventing the historic moment — much to the displeasure of the home crowd, who voiced their frustrations with boos.
The Capitals went on to win the game 5-3, but Ovechkin still hasn’t surpassed Gretzky. With six games left in the regular season, Ovechkin has a few more chances to break the record. His next opportunity comes on Sunday against the New York Islanders, but if he hopes to do it in front of a home crowd, he will have to wait until Thursday’s matchup with the Carolina Hurricanes.
The moment clearly means a lot to Ovechkin, and he is determined to make it count. Gretzky, along with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, continues to follow Ovechkin’s chase for the record, with the Great One himself cheering on the Capitals captain. As the final games of the season unfold, Ovechkin’s pursuit of history remains one of the most exciting stories in sports.
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