The Capitals captain enters the back half of the season just 16 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record.
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is using the 4 Nations Face-Off to take some time away from the game and prepare for the back half of the season, but the 39-year-old is also making sure to take advantage of the break to get some work and training in, too.
Ovechkin is currently with his family in Miami and partnered up with former NHL defenseman Darius Kasparaitis to participate in a mini training session. The two worked on bikes and got some off-ice conditioning in, too.
"We're practicing together now. We don't do it often, but we had a similar session during the COVID-19 pandemic," Kasparaitis told MatchTV.
Ovechkin owns property in Miami next to Kasparaitis, so during the break, the two 9idecided to get together to put in some work.
With Ovechkin just 16 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL goals record and 27 games to go in the regular season, Kasparaitis is confident in his training partner that he can make significant strides in the second half considering what he saw in training.
"He's in great shape and can still play and play," Kasparaitis said. "I hope that this season, he will break Wayne Gretzky's record. He has every chance to do it, but if it doesn't work out, then next season for sure."
Ovechkin has scored 26 goals and 17 assists for 43 points in 39 games, and despite missing 16 games with a broken leg, is still producing at an impressive level. If he keeps up his current scoring pace, the Russian is on track to break the record in April.
"His best hockey is yet to come," coach Spencer Carbery said of No. 8 before the break.
