Alex Ovechkin 2 Golding from Wayne Gretzky’s Baleaging Baleging after scoring against Blackhawks

Washington – Lars Eller, all said, played more than 600 games with Alex Ovechkin. Not even as a passenger. Not by chance. In 2018, a little before Owchkin collected the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP of the playoffs, Eller scored the goal of the cup.

This is a man who knows he is talking about. And on Friday, when he discussed a chase of Ovechkin of what he once seemed to be an unjustible NHL record, he had finished with hypothetical.

“There is no doubt about” If “, Eller said.” It’s a matter of “when”. “

A few hours later, Ovechkin approached a little to the answer, scoring the career goal n. 893 against the Chicago Blackhawks and putting himself far from breaking the 894 Wayne Gretzky record record with Wayne Gretzky with six other remaining games in the regular season.

Owhkin did not waste time, scoring his 40th goal of the 3:52 season in the first period, on a single timer with the right circle to beat the goalkeeper Blackhawks Spencer Knight.

“Everyone buzzes right now,” said Ovechkin a Monumental Sports Network during the first interval. “Wayne is here, so yes, it’s a special moment.”

Career 893 objective for Ovi. Two goals to make history. pic.twitter.com/hdetthdalm

– B/R Open ICE (@br_openice) April 4, 2025

The sequence was another final football of the 39 -year -old who marked into four consecutive games, transforming a great question into a reversal of coins and now, almost, a fact. A Puck Drop Friday, based on his scheduled score pace, his teammates and his opponents, Atletico He gave Ovechkin a probability of 67.4 percent to beat this month’s record. This is now up to 79 percent.

The goal was also his first marked in front of the capital fans from March 30th. In the following days, things have changed. Gretzky was present at the Capital One Arena, as well as the commissioner of the NHL Gary Bettman and many family members and several former teammates, including Nicklas Backstrom, Tj Oscie and Brooks Orpik. As much as Rowdy was things when Ovechkin marked the n. 891 in Raleigh, NC, Wednesday, on Friday evening it was something else.

“It’s fantastic,” said Ovechkin before the game. “(Gretzky) has always supported me.

They, like Eller, know that the story is close – and they will not have to wait for a long time or travel far away, for his next attempt. The capital play the New York Icelanders on Sunday at the UBS Arena. Subsequently, he returned to Washington for the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday, followed by a house and housewife next weekend against the Columbus Blue Jackets (including the Washington home ending), another road match against the islanders on April 15 and the match 82 in Pittsburgh on April 17.

For now, the road show continues. Ovechkin is clearly embracing him – and his youngest teammate is also.

“Not many guys say they are in these shoes right now,” said Ryan Leonard of the show on Friday morning. “(I’m not trying to take a moment for granted and have fun only with everything.”

It was a nice perspective from a three -games NHL veteran. Leonard was playing for Boston College last week before joining the capital. It is not only in his feelings. The caps, if nothing else, seem to be enjoying the race.

“I think he adds a little more flavor to the season. I think it’s fun to be part and fun to see,” Eller said. “It’s just a matter of time.”

(Photo: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)