All eyes on Ovechkin

The Alex Ovechkin show rolled into town Tuesday with the pursuit of hockey history taking centre stage at Canada Life Centre.

“It’s kind of a rock star tour right now,” is how Washington Capitals teammate Tom Wilson described it a few hours prior to puck drop against the Winnipeg Jets.

Like Jimi Hendrix on guitar, John Bonham on drums or Aretha Franklin on vocals, Ovechkin is making a compelling case of being the best ever when it comes to his instrument of choice — specifically, a CCM Ribcor Trigger ASY Stick.

Nick Wass / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES

Heading into Tuesday’s action, Alex Ovechkin needed six goals to tie Wayne Gretzky’s NHL all-time scoring record, and seven goals to surpass it.

With 888 career goals, the “Great Eight” is in pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s record and is seven behind for the most in NHL history. A spotlight that has been on him since he was selected first-overall in the 2004 draft is now brighter than ever.

“You can feel it on the bench, you can feel it every time he touches the puck in every building we go to. There’s an excitement that’s continuing to build,” said rookie Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery.

“It’s like nothing I’ve ever felt as a coach.”

Wilson described fans staked out at various airports, including Winnipeg Richardson International when the team touched down on Monday, and mobbing Ovechkin outside hotels and restaurants.

“He’s been a superstar his whole career,” said Wilson. “But this is bigger than the game of hockey.”

Not all of the feelings about Ovechkin are positive, especially in a place like Winnipeg where Ukrainian roots run deep. The 39-year-old hasn’t shied away from his support of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is responsible for the deadly invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing bloodshed now in its third year.

Ovechkin’s official Instagram profile photo still has a photo of him and the dictator, and he’s never spoken out to directly condemn the war despite countless pleas to do so.

There was a petition spearheaded by some members of the local community to have the Hoosli Ukrainian Male Chorus perform the anthems prior to Tuesday’s game — as they do a few times each season — to send a strong message to Ovechkin and his supporters. That did not occur.

There was a smattering of boos when Ovechkin handled the puck during Tuesday’s game, but no other signs of hostility or protest.

Although he’ll turn 40 in September, Ovechkin is showing no significant signs of slowing down. He missed 16 games earlier this year with a broken leg yet still has 35 goals and 59 points through 54 games prior to facing the Jets. He’s also the captain of the No. 1 team in the NHL while also juggling the circus-like atmosphere that comes with his chase.

“He handles it so well. I’ve been extremely proud to watch him day in and day out, just the pressure and the burden throughout the whole season,” said Wilson.

“It’s a lot of fun, I think everybody’s going to be able to tell their kids about it one day. He’s a great friend, a great teammate, and it’s been a lot of fun to be a part of. He does a great job of making sure everybody feels a part of it.”

Capitals forward Dylan Strome grew up in Ontario watching Ovechkin, who is 12 years older than him, take the NHL by storm. Now he’s playing on the same line as the future Hall of Famer, feeding him passes that routinely end up in the back of the net.

“The thing that stuck out to me the most is he’s just as excited when he’s on the ice for a goal, even if he doesn’t score it, as when he does score it. His arms are in the air, cheering, celebrating laughing,” said Strome.

“Even on the bench he’s the happiest guy on the bench. Loves to score goals and loves to be a part of goals, maybe that’s why he’s closing in on the most all-time.”

Strome has watched video of when Gretzky passed Gordie Howe for No. 1 all-time and paid particular attention to the pass from Oilers teammate Marty McSorley. He admits the thought of feeding Ovechkin for the historic tally has crossed his mind “once or twice… or three or four times.”

“We know it’s going to happen at some point, we’re just happy to be along for the ride and to assist him in any way we can,” said Strome, who has already set a career high this year in assists (45) and points (68).

Fred Greenslade / THE CANADIAN PRESS
Alex Ovechkin draws a crowd wherever he goes. — Fred Greenslade / THE CANADIAN PRESS

Alex Ovechkin draws a crowd wherever he goes.

Ovechkin can certainly thank the Jets for playing a part in his success. His 56 career goals against the franchise in 74 career games is the most against any single opponent. He also has 101 points against the 2.0 Jets/Atlanta Thrashers, which trails only the 105 he’s put up against the Carolina Hurricanes.

“I mean, I’m glad he’s seven goals away. Let’s put it that way,” Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers said Tuesday morning.

“I feel like every time we’ve played against Washington, there’s been some type of milestone that he’s hit. He’s obviously been a player that in this league has done unbelievable things and is about to do another incredible thing, which I believe he’s probably going to hit this year.”

Ehlers said he’s tried to incorporate parts of Ovechkin’s game into his own.

“I don’t have nearly the same shot he does. But he also shoots from everywhere. And that’s how you score goals in this league,” he said.

“You’re not going to get the perfect opportunity every single time, but as long as you get the puck towards the net, there’s a chance it’s going in. And the way he does that is pretty impressive. That’s something that I’ve looked at doing sometimes. I maybe take some weird shots, but that’s how I kind of get going.”

Jets centre Mark Scheifele shared a story Tuesday of how, a few years ago, team equipment manager Jason McMaster requested that he sign a stick.

“I was like, ‘Oh, who’s it for?’ He said, ‘It’s for Ovi.’ And I was like, ‘Can I get one too?’” said Scheifele, who was happy to honour the request. Ovechkin thanked him for the souvenir swap in the warm-up.

“He’s a phenomenal player, and the things that he’s done for this league, for the game of hockey, for everything. He’s done so much to pave the way for a guy like me and guys for years to come. Guys like him and Sid (Crosby), we’re lucky that they came into this league and came into the world to make the NHL where it is today.”