It's a matter of when not if for Ovechkin now.

[Shambala]

I kind of torn about this. Yeah Ovechkin is great but I always believed that Gretzky’s scoring records were untouchable.

“Alex Ovechkin fired a perfect wrist shot past Calvin Pickard for his first goal of the game, scored from his office on the power play for his second and sailed a shot into an empty net from his own zone to complete the hat trick.

If there are more games like the one against the Oilers, it’s a matter of when, not if, Ovechkin reaches 895 and beyond.”


https://apnews.com/article/alex-ovechkin-hat-trick-capitals-fed5127bba3726bfcf97e6fdd82de3ad

[rubbersole]

1. He's fun to watch!

Gretzky will always be the GOAT. He's quite respected by the other commentators on the analysis show. Like Nick Saban, he never gets interrupted while he's talking.

[JT45242]

2. Gretzky has more assists than oveckin has points

Gretzky AVERAGE was over 1 assist per game.

His WHA seasons should count (like AFL stats after the merger) which would mean that Oveckin would need another season to catch him.

Oveckin is a great goal scorer.

Gretzky scored and made it the game easier for everyone else.

Some of Gretzky's seasons are as ridiculous as Babe Ruth hitting more HR than half the teams in MLB and having an OPS+ of 210.

[Shambala]

5. Even with his own scoring Gretzky definitely raised the play of his teammates.

I remember Bernie Nichols going from a good player with the Kings to 70 something goals and 150 points after Gretzky arrived. Tony Granato too and slow footed Luc Robitaille’s games elevated amongst others and got them in the Hall Of Fame (USA Hockey Hall of Fame for Granato)

[True Dough]

3. Gretzky is the better player, by far

The goal-scoring comparison between the two is very close, but Gretzky has so many more assists that, even if you argue he spent most of his career surrounded by better quality teammates, he blows Ovechkin out of the water. Ovi, to his credit, is a more physical player. He delivers some BIG hits.

I just wish both individuals were better human beings. Ovechkin has been a Putin booster while Gretzky is in Trump's corner. BLECH!!!

[Shambala]

4. Agree, Ovechkin could be a beast when he wanted to.

Check out the Crazy Ovi curve on his blade though.

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