Ovechkin's Historic Goal Chase: A Thrilling Journey to Watch
Alex Ovechkin is on the brink of making history, and it’s been an absolute thrill to watch. With just seven goals to go before surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL record of 894 goals, the excitement surrounding his chase is palpable. For longtime teammate Nicklas Backstrom, watching Ovechkin’s relentless pursuit of the record is both exhilarating and bittersweet.
In an ideal world, Backstrom would be right there on the ice, setting up Ovechkin for yet another legendary goal. The chemistry between these two has been undeniable over their 17 seasons together with the Washington Capitals. But due to lingering issues from his hip resurfacing surgery in 2022, Backstrom has been sidelined since October 2023, forced to cheer from the stands instead of playing alongside his longtime linemate.
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Backstrom’s impact on Ovechkin’s goal total is significant—he’s assisted on 279 of Ovechkin’s 888 career goals, accounting for over 31% of them. While he remains one of the most prolific passers in the game, Backstrom humbly refuses to take any credit for Ovechkin’s success. “This is all him,” he said, emphasizing Ovechkin’s goal-scoring brilliance.
The journey these two have shared is nothing short of remarkable. Since Ovechkin personally announced Backstrom as the Capitals’ No. 4 pick in the 2006 NHL Draft, they’ve helped transform Washington into a perennial contender. They’ve made the playoffs 15 times, won three Presidents’ Trophies, and finally captured the franchise’s first Stanley Cup in 2018—a moment Backstrom describes as more relief than joy after years of near-misses.
The historic chase has the hockey world captivated, and Backstrom, despite being off the ice, plans to be there when Ovechkin finally breaks the record. Whether at home or on the road, he’ll be watching, perhaps even allowing himself a celebratory cheer when the moment arrives. For now, he watches with his son, Vince, who enthusiastically cheers each Ovechkin goal. “Maybe I’ll do a cheer when it happens that day,” Backstrom joked.
Ovechkin has 12 games left this season to claim the record, and with his goal-scoring pace, it’s only a matter of time. Fans, teammates, and legends alike are in awe of his relentless pursuit of greatness. And when that historic goal finally finds the back of the net, it will mark not just a personal achievement for Ovechkin, but a celebration of the incredible journey he’s shared with Backstrom and the Capitals’ faithful. The countdown is on—history is waiting.
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