Every coin has two sides. Similarly, with fame comes added responsibility and constant performance reviews in sports. This could be very well related in the case of Alex Ovechkin, who is on cloud nine at the moment. The 39-year-old scored a historic goal against the Islanders to break Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goals record. With this, he became the league’s highest scorer and isn’t done yet. Despite his incredible record, Ovechkin has often been called out for a potential weakness in his game. However, NHL commentator and former Stanley Cup champion Eddie Olczyk dismissed this criticism and heaped praise on the Russian star.
Although Ovechkin’s goal-scoring abilities are second to none, he has often been criticized for his one-dimensional gameplay and lack of creativity. Additionally, some have even called out his lack of assists compared to his goal tally. For the record, he has 895 goals and 724 assists in 1487 NHL games. However, Olczyk defended him and dismissed these allegations.
During an interview, he said, “I’ve said this over the last handful of years, but it seemed to gain more traction as he got closer and people wonder how he’s done it—but unfairly, some people have talked about him being one-dimensional, just a goal scorer. He’s the farthest from being a one-dimensional hockey player, and does way more than just score goals. Schematically, he opens up the ice and always has, and you got to account for him, so there’s something for that, but he sees the ice, he’s a very good passer, and he forechecks extremely well.”
Further, Olczyk went on to add, “Then you add in the physical confrontation that he has the ability… He was always willing to run somebody into the third or fourth row, and he would pick his spots, but as he’s gotten older, he’s learned and understood that takes a piece out of you, and you don’t have maybe as much energy to play on the offensive side.”
Interestingly, Olczyk was commentating on the game between the Capitals and the Islanders when Alex Ovechkin scored the historic goal. He had the privilege of calling the goal and got goosebumps as the 39-year-old broke a long-standing NHL record. Although Ovechkin surpassed Gretzky’s record, he made a candid confession about the Great Chase.
Alex Ovechkin wasn’t confident about breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record
After standing for more than 25 years, Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goals record was finally broken by Ovechkin. Although the 39-year-old had been chasing this record for a long time, he had slowed down in the chase over the past few years. As a result, doubts began to erupt in Alex Ovechkin’s mind if he could ever break that record.
After entering the history books with the goal against the Islanders, Alex Ovechkin mentioned, “No. Even before this year, at 39 years old, I’d have to score 42 goals. In this league, in this hockey game right now, it’s hard to do. Like I always said, without my teammates, without my family, without all the support, we would never have reached that milestone. Honestly, I never thought it could happen.”
As the focus shifts from Alex Ovechkin’s NHL goals record, the Capitals would aim to enter the Stanley Cup Playoffs on a positive note. While they are one of the most dominant teams this season, can they lift the Stanley Cup trophy? Let us know your views in the comments below.
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