Wayne Gretzky reacts to Alex Ovechkin tying his goals record

Wayne Gretzky and Alex Ovechkin’s Epic Showdown: A New NHL Record in the Making

Wayne Gretzky, known as The Great One, began to follow Alex Ovechkin on Friday night as the latter embarked on a journey to surpass Gretzky as the NHL’s all-time leading goalscorer. The race was almost over in just one day.

Needing three goals to surpass Gretzky, Ovechkin scored twice to tie the record and made a valiant effort to secure a hat trick. Gretzky had held the solo lead for over 31 years, but now he has company, and soon enough, he will be looking up for the first time in a while.

But Gretzky is more than at peace with his record being tied and soon to be broken. “That’s OK… That’s what the game’s all about,” Gretzky said to the Monumental Sports Network shortly after Ovechkin tied him. “Alex has been great for the game, great for Washington, great for his home country. It’s wonderful. I’m very proud of him, I’m proud of what I accomplished, and that’s what makes our game so wonderful, is the great athletes we have, and more importantly, the good people that they are.”

Gretzky became the NHL’s all-time leading goalscorer back on March 23, 1994, when he surpassed Gordie Howe with his 802nd career goal. He scored 92 more before retiring in 1999, bringing his total to 894.

Ovechkin made history by lighting the lamp just four minutes into the game against the Chicago Blackhawks, inching as close as he could to the record. Then, over five minutes into the third period, the Capitals went on a power play, and Ovechkin seized the opportunity, sneaking the puck past goalie Spencer Knight.

Ovechkin’s next chance at breaking the record will be on Sunday in New York against the Islanders, with the puck set to drop at 12:30 p.m. ET.

The NHL world is buzzing with excitement as Ovechkin inches closer to rewriting the record books. Stay tuned for the thrilling conclusion to this epic showdown between two hockey legends.