McDavid Discusses Ovechkin, Capitals Captain’s Milestones: ‘Such A Force’

As the Washington Capitals and Edmonton Oilers face off for the second and final time this season on Wednesday, Connor McDavid shared his thoughts on Alex Ovechkin.

Ovechkin tied Jaromir Jagr for third on the NHL’s all-time goals list on Tuesday with two goals in a 5-4 victory over Calgary. He now has 766 goals in his career. In the big picture, he is 36 goals behind Gordie Howe for sole possession of second and 129 red lights behind Wayne Gretzky for the NHL’s all-time goals record.

“It’s exciting going up against one of the game’s all-time greats,” McDavid told reporters after Edmonton’s morning skate on Wednesday. “He’s obviously been a force in this league for a long time and is chasing down some pretty special players ahead of him. It’s fun to kind of watch from afar.”

Wednesday will mark the first time McDavid and Ovechkin face off this season. Ovechkin tested positive for COVID-19 hours before the Capitals hosted the Oilers before the NHL All-Star Weekend. Ovechkin also couldn’t make it to Vegas for the All-Star Game, but McDavid still got him a signed stick for his son, Sergei.

READ MORE ON WHN: Ovechkin Reacts To Tying Jagr For Third On NHL’s All-Time Goals List

McDavid, 25, also explained how he has been impressed and inspired to see Ovechkin keeping up with the league’s young guns and putting up consistent numbers since joining the league back in 2005. Ovechkin’s 36 goals on the season rank fourth, and his 70 points eighth. When it comes to 36-year-old’s production, though, the Oilers captain isn’t surprised to see him still finding the scoresheet.

“He finds a way to produce. [Age] doesn’t seem to bother him much and he’s still moving great and shooting the puck like he always has. He’s still such a force out there. He doesn’t seem to be slowing down.”

Ovechkin has the chance to pass Jagr for sole possession of third on the NHL’s all-time goals list on Wednesday at Rogers Place. Puck drop is at 8 p.m. ET.