Vyacheslav Fetisov, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, has publicly backed Alexander Ovechkin, expressing confidence that the Washington Capitals captain will rediscover his goal-scoring touch. Fetisov shared his thoughts in an interview with Sports Express, offering a veteran perspective on a star under pressure and the psychological impact of a season unfolding behind schedule.
Fetisov said, Sasha has been preparing for the season with seriousness and focus. He described Ovechkin as a responsible player who bears a heavy psychological load when goal droughts stretch into weeks. The veteran icon added that a little calm can work wonders, noting that the drive and patience he has shown throughout his career are the same traits that will help him regain his scoring instincts. Fetisov emphasized that the pressure surrounding Ovechkin extends beyond personal milestones and into the realm of historical comparisons, where his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s career goal record looms large in the public eye. He believes the record, long considered the pinnacle of individual achievement in hockey, serves as both motivation and a potential distraction that requires steady nerves to navigate. [Source: Sports Express interview with Vyacheslav Fetisov]
During a recent NHL regular-season game set on December 5 in Moscow time, the Capitals were defeated by the Arizona Coyotes with a final score of 0-4. In that contest, Ovechkin, aged 38, extended a personal drought by playing his seventh consecutive game without a goal. The outcome added weight to the conversation about the forward’s current form and the path back to his usual prolific scoring pace.
Across the 2024-2025 NHL season, Ovechkin has appeared in 22 games, compiling five goals and nine assists. While the production may not meet the outburst typical of his peak years, the data reflects a player still actively contributing in a challenging vintage for any perennial scorer. The discussion surrounding his numbers intersects with broader narratives about longevity at the highest level, the evolving strategies of NHL teams, and the delicate balance between conditioning, line chemistry, and opportunities created on the ice. [Context: season statistics and team dynamics]
To put Ovechkin’s situation in perspective, his current goal tally sits a substantial margin behind Gretzky’s all-time mark, a 67-goal gap that remains a defining metric in hockey folklore. Gretzky’s 894 goals in the regular season are often cited as the standard against which the greatest goal scorers measure themselves. In third place on the all-time list stands Gordie Howe, whose storied career produced 801 regular-season goals. The scale of these numbers underscores not only the longevity required to climb that high but also the enduring fascination fans and analysts have with the chase for hockey’s most iconic records. The conversation around such milestones helps frame Ovechkin’s contributions within the broader history of the sport, and it anchors expectations for what constitutes an extraordinary career in modern hockey. [Context: historical records and rankings]
Earlier in the season, discussions about Ovechkin’s performance and his role within the Capitals have been prominent, with media and fans watching closely how he adapts to changes in coaching, systems, and the pace of today’s game. The scrutiny is part of the story of a player who has become synonymous with scoring excellence over the years, cementing his status among the elite who have defined eras for their franchises. This ongoing narrative intertwines personal achievement with team success, illustrating how a single player’s form can influence a club’s trajectory during a demanding schedule. [Context: ongoing media coverage and team impact]