Alex Ovechkin refused to go on the ice during empty net when he could have broken Gretzky’s record

The game had not even started that the hat trick watch was already on for Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin against the visiting Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night. Less than four minutes into the first period, Ovechkin beat Hawks goalie Spencer Knight and scored 893rd career goal, and was two away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record of 894. This was also his 40th tally of the 2024-25 season.

In the third period, as the Capitals were attempting to get the lead back from the Blackhawks, Ovechkin knew what needed to be done.

After his teammate Dylan Strome tied the game at 3, Ovi scored the go-ahead goal, tying Wayne Gretzky for the most goals in NHL history. As he celebrated with the crowd in Washington, Ovechkin emotionally pointed to the sky and then blew kisses at his wife and family in the crowd.

Awaiting for his record to be broken, Gretzky commented on how he wanted Ovi break the record in front of his home fans.

"I hope he does it tonight... He deserves to do it in front of these fans."

In the third period, with the crowd on its feet and his loved ones in attendance, Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery told Ovechkin to get on the ice as the Blackhawks pulled Knight for the extra attacker. The Hawks, behind 4-3 with less than two minutes to go, pulled Knight and Carbery wanted his captain to get the perfect chance to score his 895th career goal and beat Gretzky's record at home. But Ovechkin refused. 

On the following face-off, it was Caps rookie Ryan Leonard who scored instead, his first NHL goal.

I guess Ovechkin really wants to beat a goalie for his record breaking goal. Goalie Knight probably appreciated that he was not the one in between the pipes for this one. The Blackhawks didn’t leave the ice until every single player got to shake hands with Ovechkin.

Class.

After the game in a press conference held with Gretzky, Ovechkin explained how he does not want to score the historic goal in an empty cage.