Part of what makes Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goal-scoring record so compelling is that the two players are polar opposites in some ways yet stunningly similar in others.

Look at the journey Alex Ovechkin took from being a prodigious talent in Russia to being on the verge of becoming the most prolific goal scorer in NHL history.

Ovechkin did not let a 4-2 loss to the Wild at Xcel Energy Center, Minnesota stop him from honoring the Wild star goalie, who is expected to retire at the end of the 2024-25 NHL season, as the 39-year-old Washington forward called his teammates to shake Fleury's hands.

Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin, who's closing in on the NHL's all-time goals record, stopped teammates from leaving the ice until they shook hands with Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, who ranks second all time in goalie wins and intends to retire after the season. The Capitals lined up everyone to shake Fleury's hand after the game.

Fleury, who’s in his 21st and assuredly final season in the league, was on the home bench all night while Filip Gustavsson manned the net.