Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette Open's Up About Coaching NHL Legend Alex Ovechkin
Photo credit: New York Times
Today Alex Ovechkin scored goal 895 against Ilya Sorokin and the New York Islanders. Peter Laviolette had the pleasure of coaching the Gr8 One and was asked about his experience in Washington.
Peter Laviolette witnessed the greatness of Alex Ovechkin, as he coached him in three seasons with the Washington Capitals.
After Ovechkin scored goals number 893 and 894 against the Chicago Blackhawks, Laviolette expanded on how he felt about coaching one of the greatest scorers in the league.
«I think everybody probably knew it was going to happen,» Laviolette said about Ovechkin potentially breaking Gretzky's record. «I think people have known that for a little bit. He's an incredible goalscorer. When he puts the puck at the net, it has a chance of going in. He puts it there often, he has his whole career. I'm really happy for him. He was great to work with during my time in Washington.
«It was only a matter of time before he got there. It's big news inside the league too. I think everybody keeps an eye on it and has turned into it. It's a massive record, it's the biggest record, it's a homerun-type record. For that reason everybody watches it.»
«It was only a matter of time before he got there. It's big news inside the league too. I think everybody keeps an eye on it and has turned into it. It's a massive record, it's the biggest record, it's a homerun-type record. For that reason everybody watches it.»
Laviolette was the one in Washington who watched him pass Gordie Howe's all-time goals scored, then he knew that Ovechkin would soon surpass Gretzky, it was just a matter of time.
«In my time there he was working toward No. 2 and eventually he got it,» Laviolette said. «I think then it becomes more on the table and talked about more and looked at more inside of that. Being away from it now, you are watching from the outside.»
Now, after breaking Gretzky's record against the New York Islanders, Ovechkin can cease the chase and play his game as he always does: with intensity and flair.
All the while, the Capitals are playoffs-bound.
A Cinderella story in the NHL for the Capitals as a team, while Ovechkin's story is etched in the history books.
Previously on NYRangersInsider
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 6 | 2039 ANSWERS Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette Open's Up About Coaching NHL Legend Alex Ovechkin Do you think forward Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is the greatest goal scorer in the league? | ||
| Yes | 1140 | 55.9 % |
| No | 899 | 44.1 % |
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