Paul Maurice Calls Alex Ovechkin’s Pursuit of Gretzky’s Goal Record an "Incredible Story"
Paul Maurice of the Florida Panthers has coached in more NHL games than anyone except for the legendary Scotty Bowman.
Even with his almost unparalleled knowledge and expertise, Maurice can't provide guidance on containing Alexander Ovechkin effectively.
As Ovechkin edges closer to surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s record for the most goals scored in NHL history -- the Washington Capitals forward, boasting 886 goals, was just nine away from breaking Gretzky’s mark of 894 before their away game against the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday evening -- Maurice commented on Ovechkin’s pursuit.
"He has been the focal point of every team's penalty kill videos for two decades, ever since he joined the league, and he still manages to score," Maurice stated.
“It appears you can't manage to halt him.”
Before the Panthers faced off against the Maple Leafs on Thursday, Maurice had coached in 1,913 NHL games. In contrast, Bowman had steered teams through 2,141 NHL contests.
The modifications to the rules implemented after the 2004-05 NHL lockout, which aimed to open up the game, proved highly beneficial for talented players like Ovechkin, allowing them to showcase their complete skill set.
Prior to when things shifted, it was all about grinding, clinging, and grabbing, and I can attest to this since we excelled at it more than anyone else," Maurice stated. "During those cling-and-grab times, you'd have someone go after Ovie to take away his stick, and they could hold onto it for nearly half a minute before being noticed.
“The modifications proved beneficial for the sport, just like his goal-scoring ability. Pursuing Wayne Gretzky’s records, what an astounding tale. Each and every team along with their coaches over the past two decades have failed to come up with a successful strategy.”
One day, Ovechkin will have an exclusive exhibit dedicated solely to him at the Hockey Hall of Fame. On Wednesday, members of the Panthers visited the hall to formally present their Stanley Cup ring donation.
You could easily spend days at the Hall," Maurice stated. "What makes it special is that you have the opportunity to contribute to it. It's truly remarkable. For those who came up playing the sport, walking through there brings back memories of countless legendary figures... It feels like a enchanting journey.
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