Former Russian national hockey forward Ilya Kovalchuk weighed in on Washington Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin seizing the opportunity to chase Wayne Gretzky’s NHL regular-season goal-scoring record. The veteran winger, speaking to RIA News, highlighted the pressure and the realities on the ice that surround such a historic chase.
“I don’t think he’s rattled by the chatter about breaking records. Sasha can light up the scoreboards—ten goals in five games is within reach for him. And the discourse around it will always sound different from one day to the next. The team is firmly in playoff contention, they have their own challenges, they are in a process of rebuilding some facets of the roster, but Sasha keeps delivering points and is the driving force for the club. I am confident he will surpass the mark,” Kovalchuk stated, underscoring the mindset of a player who has spent years at the highest level and knows how to manage pressure while chasing history.
In the November 12 clash against the New York Islanders, Ovechkin opened the scoring and later added a second goal, contributing to a 4-1 Capitals victory. The triumph extended the Capitals’ positive run and provided another milestone moment for the 38-year-old captain as he pushed deeper into the all-time list.
With that performance, Ovechkin’s tally rose to 826 goals in NHL regular-season play, placing him second only to Gretzky’s 894 goals. The Russian superstar still trails the record by 68 goals, a gap that many observers regard as within reach given his remarkable scoring longevity and consistency across seasons. The numbers reflect a career characterized by durability, explosive shot-making, and a knack for scoring at the most opportune moments.
The opening goal came from Ovechkin at the 10-minute mark of the first period, fed by Evgeny Kuznetsov, another prominent Russian contributor to the Capitals’ offense. Ovechkin also sealed the game with a late strike, adding a goal just seconds before the final whistle and showcasing his ability to perform at both the start and the end of games when the stakes are high.
Background notes around Ovechkin’s season have included discussions about his training and conditioning approaches, including reports of vacuum therapy as part of his regimen. These practices are part of broader efforts by many long-tenured players to maintain peak performance levels deep into their 30s and beyond, reflecting evolving approaches to recovery and resilience within professional hockey. The conversation around his season illustrates how elite athletes integrate science, sports medicine, and personal routines to sustain elite competitiveness while managing wear from a long career.