Elliotte Friedman recently discussed the issue regarding Alex Ovechkin possibly being benched for road games leading up to his record. However, that won't happen.
As Alex Ovechkin is 12 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time record, the debate increases regarding when and where this record will be broken.
With his No. 883 on Tuesday, Ovechkin's pursuit was the buzz of the town when Capitals coach Spencer Carbery appeared on "The Sports Junkies" podcast Wednesday morning.
Carbery was questioned whether he would grant Ovechkin more ice time, especially in a scenario where the Capitals enjoyed a cushy lead and the opposing team had pulled their goalie, to provide him with a chance to reach the milestone.
"I've thought about it, and I haven't talked to Ovi about this yet, but this is my guess is that when it gets to that point, I don't think he's going to want to break it with an empty-netter.
"It's a good point of, like, if it's a one-goal game, do you do it? If it's a three-goal game now, are you a little less likely to do it? You just want to make sure there's a goalie in the net when he breaks it. Yeah, I haven't gotten that far planning it, but I have thought about it, and I think it's something that we'll discuss and decide.
"I think, you know, the goal to break Wayne's, this iconic record, it'll be shown for years to come in history. I think you want a goaltender in net."
Tuesday's tally in Calgary was Ovechkin's 30th of the season, pushing his NHL streak to 19 seasons with 30 goals. Only a few days earlier, he had scored three against Edmonton, keeping pace for his chase.
Ovechkin still has 23 games to break the record
With 23 games left, the Capitals captain has a strong possibility of surpassing Gretzky's record this season. Also on many minds is whether it will make a difference if Ovechkin's record-breaking goal comes at home or on the road.
Hockey insider Elliotte Friedman just broke the news that Ovechkin won't be scratched for road games in a bid to allow him to reach the milestone in Washington.
"Some fans who bought tickets to Washington road games were worried the Capitals might sit Alexander Ovechkin to ensure he breaks Wayne Gretzky's goals record at home. That's not happening."
"No, it does not matter. You would like (it to happen at home), but to try to manufacture that, I just don't think makes any sense, and you hope it organically happens. If it doesn't, it doesn't, but I don't think you can script that or try to plan for that.
"And, unfortunately, I mean, just looking ahead, we play a lot of road games in April to finish our season. I want to say six of our last nine are on the road, so it is what it is. Hopefully, it's this year, and hopefully, it's at home, but you just keep playing the games and keep trying to get the next one."
That would have him possibly making history at Capital One Arena or on the road, making the countdown that much more exciting.
