(Washington) For Peter Laviolette, coaching Alexander Ovechkin for three seasons normalized his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s NHL regular-season goals record.
Posted at 10:49 a.m.
Stephen Whyno
Associated Press
“There’s nothing crazy about it,” said Laviolette, now at the helm of the New York Rangers before his club faces the Capitals on Saturday afternoon. “I don’t see him slowing down. »
No, he’s not slowing down.
Ovechkin scored the Capitals’ fifth goal in a 7-4 win. It was 872e goal of his career, and he only needs 23 more to erase a mark – Gretzky’s 894 goals in the regular season – which has long seemed unattainable.
Since his return to play, after an absence of 16 games due to a fractured fibula in his left leg, the 39-year-old Russian striker has scored four goals in five games.
“It’s amazing,” said teammate Connor McMichael.
“Ever since I was a kid, I grew up watching him do all these amazing things. And now to have a front row seat to see him achieve something truly special is awesome. He helps our team win night after night, and I can’t say enough good things about him. »
Ovechkin’s next goal will be his 20e of the season, which will allow him to reach the threshold of 20 goals in each of his 20 NHL campaigns.
A broken left fibula interrupted Gretzky’s record chase, but Ovechkin came back strong.
“To be honest with you, I feel better every game – in terms of touches, skating,” analyzed Ovechkin. “I won’t complain. »
“It’s obvious he’s one of the great (players) of all time,” said Capitals winger Andrew Mangiapane.
“Just seeing his daily lifestyle, seeing him on the ice and every time he scores, it’s a great feeling and I think it energizes everyone on our bench. »
Laviolette, who led the Capitals from 2021 to 2023, praised Ovechkin’s shot as the best in the world. However, he emphasized his work ethic more than anything else as to why the goals continued to add up.
“He’s a guy who never stops,” Laviolette said. “He wants to improve. He will play while he is in bad shape. He will play injured. He’s going to go on the ice (and) he’s going to try to make a difference for his team. »
