Ovechkin Chasing Gretzky: Assisting Ovi on goals is an art

By STEPHEN WHYNO
AP Hockey Writer

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Alex Ovechkin earlier this season became the third player in NHL history to surpass 800 career goals. Only Wayne Gretzky has scored more than Ovechkin’s 810. But Ovechkin has not gotten within range of Gretzky’s record of 894 goals by himself. Dozens of Washington Capitals teammates have assisted on goals by Ovechkin during his 18-year career since coming to North America. How to pass him the puck and where he wants it on the ice and on his stick is part of the art that is assisting Ovechkin.