"It's great that we live in the Ovechkin era"

We met with Stanley Cup winner, world champion among youth and national teams Dmitry Orlov the day before the Washington–Carolina match in the US capital, where the Raleigh team was staying. Ten minutes from there is the famous fountain on the embankment of the Potomac River, in which Ovechkin, Orlov, Evgeny Kuznetsov and other Capitals players bathed, celebrating the victory of the Stolichny Cup in 2018. And now the 33-year—old defender was close to participating in the record-breaking match of his long-term teammate, close friend and even relative - his wife Varvara became the godmother of Ovechkin's eldest son Seryozha. But Ovi worked even faster, beating Wayne Gretzky's record in New York. And for the match with Carolina, it was only necessary to honor him in his native arena.

I was very happy for Sasha and his family.

— Where did you watch Ovechkin's record-breaking match and what emotions did you feel at that moment?

— We had a day off, so I watched it at home, on the couch — and, of course, I was very happy for Sasha and his family. If he hadn't scored for the Islanders, maybe it would have happened in the next game with us, although I don't think many of my teammates wanted that. Ha ha! But all the same, even in the group chat, the guys wrote to us: he did well to break this record.

Sasha did something unreal. It's kind of crazy. Previously, no one could even think that someone would approach him. And now people will be wondering if someone will ever be able to reach Ovechkin's record or not. They used to say, "Gretzky's record," but now they'll say, "Ovechkin's record." It's worth a lot. I'm glad I played with him on the same team. The whole country was worried about him, and indeed the whole world, and not only hockey.

— Yes, when a person is congratulated by Roger Federer, Michael Phelps, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Novak Djokovic, Simone Biles, Katie Ledecky and a bunch of other legends from different sports, it says everything.

— Actually, that's how it should be. It's good that people from all over the world and from all kinds of sports have paid so much attention to this record. Fans, fans, friends, relatives — everyone was watching, worried that he would do it. Therefore, all this will remain for a long time, especially in Sasha's head and inside the family. I think they are proud and happy, enjoying this moment.

It's clear that we're already close to the playoffs, and we need to adjust a little bit to something else. But I think it warms his heart and soul anyway and will never be forgotten. Sasha once again showed what a great career he has, which was decorated with the Stanley Cup, and now this record. And everyone already knows how many individual prizes he has received.

— The latest news: Washington has nominated him for the Bill Masterton Trophy— a prize for his dedication to hockey. Each NHL team can nominate one player for its competition.

— I think Sasha will win it too, because this unattainable record succumbed only to him and played a big role in making everyone talk about hockey. It's great that we live in this era and see with our own eyes how such a huge record has fallen.

— Tell me honestly, deep down in your heart you didn't want this to happen in a match with you? Didn't you really want to be a part of history?

— Actually, of course, we in the team thought about it. It was a funny feeling that maybe it would be like that. Yes, in principle, he scored, in my opinion, the 892nd goal for us, and I was next to him at that moment. That's why I had such thoughts, but it didn't happen. But I will participate in the ceremony before the match.

I'll be doubly pleased because I've played with him, and it's going to happen in the Washington arena, which is very important to me, as is the organization and the team. This is my first club in the NHL, I've played most of my career here, and it's probably going to remain my main club in the future. Washington is forever in my heart, and I am always happy to play and be here.

Therefore, it will be valuable for me to participate in the game immediately after the record and be happy for Sasha. And in that ceremony and in the clip in Cuba, which were immediately after the goal, I was touched by the words of my family — mom, wife, children. It's great for Sasha that both family and friends were at the game and saw this legendary moment.

— Did you think that he could do it on the road, or did you assume that he would postpone it until the home match?

— There has been a lot of talk about this topic. But my opinion is that the sooner the better, there was no need to wait for anything on purpose. And before that, he did another good deed when he didn't go out and score against Chicago in an empty net. This is worthy of respect, because you have to set a record by scoring against the goalkeeper. Therefore, I think that everything turned out as it should have. As fate would have it.

— But after all, if he had scored in the empty, he would have scored a hat-trick. And it's so impressive to set such a record with a hat trick! With a sea of baseball caps thrown from the stands!

— In any case, nothing can be changed, the story is written!

— And it was written by a Russian forward and a Russian goalkeeper. Russian Russian himself laughed in our short conversation after the game: "The Russian gave the Russian a goal."

— It's also a story! Sorokin, in my opinion, did not miss him?

"That's right.

— Well, that's the last thing I decided, haha!

Text message from the Winnipeg head coach

— You mentioned the goal that Ovechkin scored in most five-on-three games on April 2 in a role from under you. Moreover, it felt like you were doing everything right, but you didn't have time to do it just a little bit.

— There is a funny story connected with this. I wake up in the morning the day after this game and see a text message from Winnipeg head coach Scott Arniel, who was once a member of the Washington staff and was responsible for the minority. He congratulated me on reaching the playoffs, and then the phrase followed: "I understand that Sasha is your friend, but you should have been on the line of shooting." I answer: "I tried." He reacts: "It's all complete bullshit that you're telling me."

"And you?"

— And I said, "Okay, where were those who were supposed to block the rest of his 891st goal?" I'm not the first, I'm not the last one who didn't make it when he scored. In general, we had a laugh. I actually tried to block the shot, but the puck went past me. Unfortunately. And to the joy. Now it's a joy, because he broke the record. But when you're on the ice, you take away the emotions.

— Did someone in the team troll that they helped a friend?

— There were a couple of jokes, mostly from the club staff.

— And how do you like his fall on the ice and driving on it after the record?

— I think there are so many emotions at once, a full outburst of them, that you probably don't have any control over what's happening anymore. Then you start to review and wonder. Only Sasha can tell what was going on inside his head, inside his heart, at that moment.

— But do you believe in his words that he accidentally tripped and fell?

"I don't think so, haha! At a training session for kids and other fans, he did it again, and now it's a new meme.

— When did you congratulate him yourself?

— I wrote a message right after the goal. I called and congratulated him when he was on the bus with the team. It was short, because I understood that he was with the guys, there was a celebration going on, why bother a person for a long time? The main thing is that he picked up the phone, answered and heard my congratulations. I can imagine how many calls and text messages he received. I think I'll see you today too, and I'll be able to congratulate him personally.

— Have you and Ovechkin ever talked about this record? Maybe also when we played together for Washington, and this topic has already begun to be discussed.

— If only this year. Everyone understands everything, why escalate the situation? The main thing is that he overcame all this pressure. Every year he scored and got closer to the record. Of course, he understood that there was such a chance and he should try to come to it. And he did it all right.

— Are you impressed by his psychological stability? Under such pressure, he scored six goals in five consecutive games. How is this even possible? What is this "Russian car" that never breaks down?

— Well, that's Sasha like that. This is his confidence in himself, in his abilities, and the support of his family. He knows that in a difficult moment he can achieve the results he wants. That's why he's a legend, that's why he came to this record. Not every athlete can overcome his emotions, calm himself down so that he has a cool head. He can, and we can see it from his stats and career wins. That's why he's special.

He never showed that he had any pain.

— Do you have a lot of players in your team who are asking you to sign something from Ovechkin?

— They ask, yes. One partner asked me to sign the stick.

"Who?"

— Goalkeeper Andersen.

— As far as I know, Ovechkin's family, except for himself, flew to and from the game on Ted Leonsis' private jet. The owner of the Capitals has always treated Alexander very warmly.

- yes. Ted has always been involved in hockey, and I don't think there should be any other way. Everything was top notch. The club and the owner are great for giving the family this opportunity and paying so much attention to the record.

Both his family and his team always helped him. It's no coincidence that Sasha talked so much about the role of Washington's partners, coaches, and staff. He understands better than anyone that this is a team sport, and he is not alone. We need help, we need transfers — and it's always been played when it's open. He's a captain for a reason.

— This captaincy was passed down to him from his mother.

— Of course, the roots. He is both an athlete and a captain genetically.

— Pierre-Luc Dubois, who joined the team this season, said that he was amazed to receive the first message and call after the exchange from Ovechkin. Moreover, he somehow knew—minutes after the player joined the team—that it was his birthday. Is this a typical Ovechkin?

— I think so. Moreover, as the captain and leader of the team, he tries to make all the players who come there feel comfortable right away. That's why he does it and understands how difficult it can be for people to change teams sometimes.

— Have people in your team been amazed that you can score 42 goals in a 39-year-old season, breaking your leg in the process and being sent off for 16 matches?

— Yes, this is another unreal thing. At the beginning of the season, Kochetkov was surprised when I told him that Sasha would break the record. Petya won't let me lie, we talked to him. He asked: "What do you think?" I say, "He'll beat you." And he also did it in a little over 60 games at that age. This shows once again how strong and confident he is... the legendary hockey player.

— I was struck by the story of his wife Nastya, that the doctors gave him crutches, but he never touched them. She saw a picture of this fracture and couldn't believe her eyes when he stepped on his bad leg. He limped, but he advanced.

— I don't even know what to say here. I never remember him showing that he was in pain. I've always kept the pain to myself.

— Nastya also told me that children, in addition to "Washington," the first thing they ask is to turn on "Caroline." Four-year-old Ilyusha explains: "Because my best friend's dad Dima Orlov plays there!"

— Cool! I understand that not everyone will like our hockey. He's good enough... energy-intensive. There are fans of our game, and there are people who are against it. And Ilyusha — well done!

— Everyone says that friendship means a lot to Alexander, and he is ready to do anything for real friends. Have you ever had any evidence of this in your life?

"They were." But it's not for the camera or for printing. Let it stay with us. Indeed, it is true — if you contact him, he will always try to help you. He has this great quality of appreciating friendship and family.

— How did he allow you to be traded from Washington?

—Ha ha! I don't know. It is what it is. There's no turning back the time. That's how it happened, and we'll see what happens next.

— Were you sensitive to the exchange then?

— It wasn't easy, of course. I wanted to stay, but we didn't agree on a new contract. Now I'm on a different team, but I still come to Washington with good memories. They played a video dedicated to me in the arena when the first game was last season. My family flew in and was at that match, so it was a special moment for me.

— Are you ruling out the possibility that you will return to the Capitals after becoming a free agent this summer? Like Lars Eller, who, however, was exchanged back.

— I don't know. I think they have defenders who have been signed, and they are playing. That's why I don't think so. It is unlikely that this will be possible in the summer.

— But, as you told me in the fall, do you want to stay in the NHL?

— Yes, of course. The rumors about the KHL are complete nonsense, I have never conducted any negotiations. It's strange that all of this is appearing. Of course, I would like to play there at the end of my career, and now I want to continue playing in the NHL.