Blackhawks Show Respect for Alex Ovechkin With Classy Gesture After Loss to Capitals

For most of the season, especially after the 4 Nations Face-Off, all eyes had been firmly set on the Washington Capitals and Alexander Ovechkin's chase for glory as he looked to claim Wayne Gretzky's goal scoring record.

One by one, the goals were being tallied by the Capitals captain, and in recent weeks, he ticked it down to single digits, setting the stage for the opportunity to not only break the record this season but to do it in less games played than Gretzky.

Ovechkin entered last night's game with 16 goals scored over his last 24 games, which included a 3-game goal streak. He ended up scoring two goals to tie Gretzky's record, after which the game paused as the crowd gave him a roaring ovation before he returned the favour and even gestured a bow towards the "Great One".

Many were hoping that he would take aim for the record with the net empty, but Ovechkin reportedly told head coach Spencer Carbery that he wanted to break the record against a goaltender and not on an empty net.

At the end of the game, the Chicago Blackhawks set up shop in the middle of the ice and formed a handshake line in a classy sign of respect for the "Great 8".

This coming not too long after Ovechkin and the Capitals showed the same level of respect towards Marc-Andre Fleury after the Minnesota Wild defeated the Capitals in what was the final game played between the two age-old rivals.

After the handshakes were completed and the teams retreated to their respective locker rooms, the party began with the Capitals crowding Ovechkin and showering him with celebratory beers.

While Ovechkin didn't break Gretzky's record quite yet, he did pass another great in Jaromir Jagr for most game winning goals scored in NHL history with a whopping 136.

The "Great 8" will have a chance at history once again on Sunday night when the Capitals play the New York Islanders. Funny enough, he has yet to score a goal against Ilya Sorokin, which will make for an interesting turn of events should he finally get the better of his fellow countryman.