LEAFS NOTEBOOK: Alex Ovechkin re-starts Gretzky goals chase against Toronto

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Published Dec 28, 2024  •  Last updated 4 minutes ago  •  3 minute read

Alex Ovechkin of the Capitals reacts after losing to the Maple Leafs in overtime at Capital One Arena on No. 13, 2024 in Washington. Photo by Patrick Smith /Getty Images

Get ready for a great race between the Great Eight and the Great One. 

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Alex Ovechkin is not really going head-to-head with the retired Wayne Gretzky, but is trying to stay ahead of Father Time for the 27 goals needed to reach 894. That would topple one of three Gretzky NHL career scoring records once considered unbreakable, along with his 1,963 assists and 2,223 points. 

The 39-year-old Ovie had only two goals in his first seven games this year to raise doubts of his longevity, then scored 13 in the next 11, including two against Utah in the Nov. 18 game in which he fractured his fibia. 

On Saturday, without the slightest limp, he made it back into Washington’s lineup against the Leafs ahead of schedule. The countdown and hype can re-start and Ovechkin intends to be the career NHL scoring champion sometime in the calendar year 2025. But he doesn’t want to rush progress. 

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“At this point, you don’t think of all the stuff happening around (the milestone pursuit),” Ovechkin said after the Caps’ morning skate. “You just hope for a normal recovery (it’s his longest injury absence as an NHLer), hope to try and get better and hang in.” 

The Caps are eager to be part of this historical tableau. Who wouldn’t want to be assisting on the big goal? 

“It’s definitely special,” said defenceman Rasmus Sandin. “I’ve been fortunate to play with some legends in this game (such as Auston Matthews when both were Leafs). Ovie is one of the guys I’ve been looking up to since I was a kid.” 

Head coach Spencer Carbery says he has calculated Ovechkin’s progress versus Gretzky whenever his man scores, but is just thrilled to have him back earlier than expected. 

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“When we’re in the moment, on the edge of your seat and he scores, especially at home, you can feel the excitement,” Carbery agreed. “But as far as the build-up, the media attention, the chase, the number and where he’s at, I honestly don’t think the guys pay that much attention to it, other than we’re just waiting for him to help win us another game. 

“I think that’s one of the reasons he’s been so successful. He’s so consistent and narrowly focused on winning against Toronto tonight and scoring one to help us.” 

TOUGH ON TORONTO 

While Ovechkin’s 44 goals against the Leafs are impressive, there are 31 others with more on a list compiled for us by NHL Stats. 

Topping it is Gordie Howe at 136 goals, but setting aside the Original Six era players, the group shortens considerably to Steve Yzerman (61), Brian Bellows (60), Gretzky (55), Brett Hull (53) and Steve Larmer (46). Ovechkin is currently tied with Danny Gare.  

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Howe is also the oldest player to ever score against Toronto, as a 51-year-old Hartford Whaler, twice in 1979-80. Unless Ovechkin can hang round a few more years, Zdeno Chara will hold the distinction of  present oldest rival to get a goal at Toronto’s expense, as a 42-year-old for Boston in 2019. 

 LEAF STAFF THRIVING 

As the New Year approaches, former Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe has the New Jersey Devils in first place in the Metropolitan Division, fighting off a challenge from his one-time Toronto assistant, Carbery. 

The latter, who left in 2023 before Keefe’s final Leafs season, which ended in his firing, is glad his friend moved on quickly. 

“I was happy for Keefer and his family landing in a good spot,” Carbery said. “They have a great team and thankfully we’re done with New Jersey this year (after three close games, two of them won by the Devils). We had some good battles.”       

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NO GAIN WITHOUT PAIN  

It was hard to recall a game in which more Leafs defencemen winced their way back to the bench than Friday in Detroit. 

Jake McCabe had to dig a tooth or two out of his mouthguard after Lucas Raymond’s errant high stick clipped him in the mouth. Simon Benoit stopped a puck in a sensitive area and a chance deflection caught the top of Morgan Rielly’s exposed knee. 

Escaping multiple bruises for a change was team shot-blocks leader Chris Tanev, who was credited with only one. But he spread the praise around. 

“It’s part of playing 82 games,” he said. “You’ll have nights where guys need to make big blocks, get high sticks, get cut. But it’s fun when you’re winning, it’s contagious. We have a really tight group of defencemen.” 

Roger that, said Carbery, whose video pre-scouts have detected the presence of general manager Brad Treliving’s summer signings. 

“In adding Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, they defend the interior of the rink as good as anyone,” Carbery noted. 

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