T.J. Oshie and Nicklas Backstrom give their comments on the new Alex Ovechkin record
Photo credit: Imagn Images
It was more than just a goal for Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals, it was a moment of legacy, loyalty and love between teammates who've lived through it all together.
As Alex Ovechkin scored goal No. 895 to officially pass Wayne Gretzky as the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer, his old teammates Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie couldn't hold back their emotions.
"Very special," Backstrom said. "Very special, emotional, but I didn't get emotional until I saw Ovi's wife, actually. It was really special."
Niclas Backstrom assisted on more Ovechkin goals than anyone else in his career, and he stood on the bench with misty eyes, visibly moved as he watched his close friend cement his place in the history of the NHL.
The bond they've built over 15 seasons was on full display with a mix of pride, nostalgia and brotherhood.
"As soon as I saw 'Nicky,' I just wanted to cry," Ovechkin said.
"And we hold (each other). He was such a big part of my success, and we've grown up together. We play together, we've been in so many different situations together, and that relationship in that moment with him and 'Osh' (T.J. Oshie) being here, yeah, it's tremendous. It's support. It's always been like that. I tell him, 'Without you, I would never reach that milestone.'"
"And we hold (each other). He was such a big part of my success, and we've grown up together. We play together, we've been in so many different situations together, and that relationship in that moment with him and 'Osh' (T.J. Oshie) being here, yeah, it's tremendous. It's support. It's always been like that. I tell him, 'Without you, I would never reach that milestone.'"
T.J. Oshie joined the Capitals in 2015 and became one of Ovi's most trusted linemates and he looked just as overwhelmed as Backstrom.
After the game, he spoke about the moment:
"There's not many instances where someone has openly, in one instance or another, kind of thanked me in front of the world," Oshie said.
"So, in that moment, I kind of assumed and knew that 'Backy' was going to get a shoutout. They go hand in hand and their bond is like no other of two teammates that I've seen. But for him to call my name in that moment was incredibly special and, honestly, very emotional for me inside to have him mention and give me a little shoutout during the biggest accomplishment that the world of hockey has seen in a very long time."
"So, in that moment, I kind of assumed and knew that 'Backy' was going to get a shoutout. They go hand in hand and their bond is like no other of two teammates that I've seen. But for him to call my name in that moment was incredibly special and, honestly, very emotional for me inside to have him mention and give me a little shoutout during the biggest accomplishment that the world of hockey has seen in a very long time."
The two embraced Ovechkin as he returned to the bench, tears in their eyes, joy in their hearts since the Great 8 made history but for guys like Backstrom and Oshie, it was also personal.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 7 | 70 ANSWERS T.J. Oshie and Nicklas Backstrom give their comments on the new Alex Ovechkin record Do you think Nicklas Backstrom was one of the best passers in NHL history? | ||
| Yes | 66 | 94.3 % |
| No | 4 | 5.7 % |
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