Media reported on the NHL's plan to stop the game after Ovechkin reaches Gretzky's record

The National Hockey League (NHL) plans to stop a game in which Washington Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin breaks Canadian hockey player Wayne Gretzky's record for the number of pucks scored in the regular season. This was reported on December 10 by the Daily Faceoff.

According to journalist Frank Seravalli, the plan of action when the record was achieved was the main topic of the meeting of the NHL Board of Governors the day before. After the stoppage of play, a ceremony involving Gretzky and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman is expected, even though the game will be played on the road.

It is noted that Gretzky attended the meeting and expressed his hope that he will be able to shake Ovechkin's hand at the historic game when he breaks the record.

"He's a real bull. His shot is as good as anyone who has ever played the game. I played with Jari Kurri and Brett Hull, and one of the best compliments I could give them is that they never missed a goal. Ovechkin doesn't miss a goal. All the better for him. He's been great this year, and I know how hard it is at that age. It's getting harder and harder, but he's hanging in there," Gretzky later told reporters.

At the moment, the Washington forward has 26 pucks left to score to repeat Gretzky's record (894). Ovechkin now has 868 goals.

"I wish Ovechkin to break Gretzky's record as early as this season."

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Earlier, on December 7, Bettman said that he and Gretzky will accompany Ovechkin when the Russian will have four or five goals to the Canadian's record for goals scored in the regular season.

Before that, on December 2, Ovechkin resumed training on the ice after an injury sustained in the third period of Washington's game against Utah on November 19. The hockey player injured his knee in a collision with opposing team forward Jack McBain and was forced to leave the ice with the help of another player.

Ovechkin's injury temporarily halted his pursuit of Gretzky's record. In a November game against Utah, Ovechkin increased his regular season goal total to 868.