Ovechkin Says He Would Take Another Stanley Cup Over Gretzky's Record; He & Capitals Have More To Play For

The Capitals captain is more focused on collective team success entering the final two years of his contract.

The Washington Capitals are obviously on milestone watch for the next two seasons, with captain Alex Ovechkin just 42 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL goals record. As he gets closer to the magic number, though, his focus isn't on 894; it's on another Stanley Cup.

Ovechkin said on the "It's Hockey, Brother" podcast that he would rather win another championship before his monumental career comes to an end instead of breaking Gretzky's record.

"Stanley Cup," Ovechkin said, per a DeepL translation. "It's better to do everything together and win."

The Capitals snuck back into the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season in the second Wild Card spot after missing out in 2022-23. They were ultimately swept in the first round by the New York Rangers, and for the first time in his career, Ovechkin was held without a point.

Looking ahead, Ovechkin remains determined to remain a playoff team for the remaining two years of his contract, and the focus will shift to training this summer to get himself and his team in shape for a better showing.

"We have to prepare because we have to try to win another Stanley Cup," Ovechkin said.

The 38-year-old is entering his 20th NHL season and has just one Stanley Cup after winning it all with D.C. in 2018, 13 years after his rookie season.

His teammates are also rallying around him and share the sentiment that Ovechkin is all-in for another title, and that his priority is not passing No. 99.

"This man is absolutely about the team," Aliaksei Protas told Bet News. "He clearly understands how much team success is intertwined with individual success. He never pulls for himself. You can ask how willing Ovechkin is to help and about his leadership qualities... he has a lot of energy, a constant readiness to help and joy for the success of anyone on the team. Sometimes even more sincere than for himself."