The NHL has a new goal-scoring benchmark as Alex Ovechkin recently achieved his 895th goal against the New York Islanders.
Wayne Gretzky`s all-time goal record stood for 31 years. Now, the question arises: could a current player challenge Ovechkin`s newly set standard?
Could Auston Matthews, the Toronto Maple Leafs captain, be that player?
“That`s an incredibly long road ahead. I don’t believe I should even be mentioned in the same breath,” Matthews stated to reporters on Monday. “Ovechkin just surpassed a monumental record. I am nowhere near that level, and honestly, my focus shouldn`t be on individual records right now.”
Matthews has marked his ninth consecutive 30-goal season, reaching the milestone in a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday.
Tristan Blackwood