Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky is anticipated to be present at Friday night`s game in Washington as Alex Ovechkin is just two goals away from tying and three goals from surpassing Gretzky`s all-time NHL record.
The Capitals` game against Chicago, broadcast on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+, starting at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT, marks the beginning of Gretzky`s in-person presence during Ovechkin`s record chase.
“It’s great,” Ovechkin commented after the team’s morning practice. “He has always been supportive of me. This is an exciting time. We will see what happens, but for now, the focus is on the hockey game. It’s a very special moment.”
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, Ovechkin’s wife, Nastya, and Capitals owner Ted Leonsis were in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Wednesday night. Ovechkin scored his 892nd goal in that game, leaving him just a hat trick away from breaking Gretzky’s seemingly untouchable record of 894 goals on home ice.
“It’s going to be fun,” said winger Tom Wilson. “It’s bigger than just this game, bigger than hockey itself. It’s Wayne Gretzky, ‘The Great One.’ Nobody ever thought this record would be challenged. The energy surrounding this chase has been incredible all year, unlike anything anyone has experienced before.”
It has been 31 years since Gretzky surpassed Gordie Howe’s all-time record of 801 career goals. Now, Gretzky is accompanying Ovechkin in his pursuit of 895 goals, similar to how Howe supported Gretzky on his journey to 802 in 1994.
“The greatest player ever is coming to watch us for however long it takes, it’s really exciting,” Capitals center Dylan Strome stated. “Ovi and Gretzky have a great relationship. And Gretzky’s been an incredible ambassador for hockey for so many years, doing so much for the sport and for Canada. It’s really cool.”
Anticipation is growing in the hockey world for what is being called the “GR8 chase,” and Gretzky’s presence at the game is another exciting element.
“It shows the close relationships between players in the game and the mutual respect they have,” said retired defenseman Jason Demers, now an NHL Network analyst, who will also be at the game with “NHL Live” broadcasting on-site. “Having Wayne there to support Ovechkin as he is about to break his record is incredible. It’s amazing to see the support these guys have for each other, and that’s what makes hockey such a great sport.”