If Ovi is about to break the goal record coming down on an empty net goal, does he score or pass it off

[wetcoast]

It’s going to be one of the most iconic moments in the sport, regardless of how you personally feel about it.

Honest question here, do people really remember the play where Gretzky passed Howe as the all time scoring leader or do they remember him as a legend during his Oiler days or that iconic playoffs with LA or the Canada Cups.

I mean the threads are fun but the actual goal or point when any player is well past their prime just doesn't do it for me, but maybe that's just me.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Honest question here, do people really remember the play where Gretzky passed Howe as the all time scoring leader or do they remember him as a legend during his Oiler days or that iconic playoffs with LA or the Canada Cups.

I mean the threads are fun but the actual goal or point when any player is well past their prime just doesn't do it for me, but maybe that's just me.

Gretzky’s goal and point records are his most-replayed highlights by a mile. Pretty much any top-10 will have one of those two as his #1 play of his career.

 

[Devilsfan2326]

lol why do people care so much about what 1 goal out of what will be 900+ looks like, just because it happens to be the one that passes another player. He'll have more goals after he officially breaks the record so this won't even be the ultimate record setting goal anyways. He would make the best play to help his team win that game -- if that is scoring into the empty net himself then that's what it'll be.

Youtube. It's like a couple who are perfect for each other, but someone has a problem because oh no, they didn't first meet in a super romantic way.

 

[bobbyking]

I wanna disagree so bad, but I kind of agree.

Goals are goals, except for this one lol

exactly, it would kill the spectacle that it should be. like when he roofed number 500 in Ottawa. there's no other way

 

[ricky0034]

It’s going to be one of the most iconic moments in the sport, regardless of how you personally feel about it.

to be honest this is kinda why I hope it IS an empty net goal

maybe it would help people start being less weird about them

 

[bobholly39]

He will definitely put the puck into he net. What if the next game he suffers a career ending injury in the opening minute? Can't take the chance.

What if he doesn't take the shot, other team ties and wins the game, and Capitals miss playoffs by 1 point?

You definitely take the shot.

 

[Hanji]

I feel strongly that he should not score that goal. Some things are just bigger than making one play in one game. This would be turning one of the most meaningful moments in the history of the sport into a joke and a controversy.

I realize there’s very little place left for the notion of a “spirit of the game”, but it really has to prevail in a moment like this.

The objective of the game is to win. If sealing a victory entails scoring an ENG, you do it. That is what "spirit of the game" is all about.

Purposely forgoing the shot for external reasons (i.e. record setting goal on a "nothing play") is the epitome of selfishness and an I-before-team attitude.

 

[the valiant effort]

It truly is a ridiculous topic. If it becomes obvious to the crowd that Ovechkin has an easy tap in they are going to go berserk in anticipation. On the other hand what if Ovechkin races a Brent Burns all the way to the goal line, wrestles off Slavin and stuffs an empty netter to clinch the division? Plenty of empty netters through the years have shaken buildings to the rafters

 

[Alexander the Gr8]

As a Caps fan, I hope he would bury it without hesitation. It’s not about goal #895 being an EN or not, it’s capping off an outstanding 20 year career.

Whatever ends up being the record breaking goal deserves a very long standing ovation, home or away.

 

[Aashir Mallik]

he better put that puck in the net himself.

nobody remembers gretzky's last career point being a secondary assist

they just remember the 1963 he had

ditto ovi, put that puck in the net and celebrate it and the 894 others

 

[frisco]

He wouldn't and shouldn't pass up a goal into the empty net. That being said, it would be nice if the goal was a traditional marker just because it will be replayed forever. Gretzky's 50th in 39 GP with a Cooperalled Bill Barber sliding across to defend an empty net never seemed to do the moment proper justice.

My Best-Carey

 

[Toby91ca]

So, as a lot of pointed out, stupid, stupid question....I have no idea how anyone on here could honestly answer that he'd pass if off to a teammate so he could score later on a goalie. I hate doing this because it's not really a question with a simple factual answer, but I'll call you all wrong anyway

Seriously though....if the Caps are up, late in the game and the other team pulls their goalie.....if OV is out on the ice, if he's not out there to try and score a goal, please explain to me why he is on the ice and not sitting on the bench?

 

[Golden_Jet]

Honest question here, do people really remember the play where Gretzky passed Howe as the all time scoring leader or do they remember him as a legend during his Oiler days or that iconic playoffs with LA or the Canada Cups.

I mean the threads are fun but the actual goal or point when any player is well past their prime just doesn't do it for me, but maybe that's just me.

Ya I remember all of those.

 

[bobbyking]

it's pretty pathetic and disgusting that people chose yes here . you scrubs must be so fun in real life. eng assumes the game is already won

 

[TMLeafer]

Hopefully he can do something like the Michigan to piss off a few more people.

 

[PM88RU]

The objective of the game is to win. If sealing a victory entails scoring an ENG, you do it. That is what "spirit of the game" is all about.

Purposely forgoing the shot for external reasons (i.e. record setting goal on a "nothing play") is the epitome of selfishness and an I-before-team attitude.

Exactly. I do believe that if Ovi felt that way (ENG=nothing play), he wouldn’t have achieved such a career. He makes whatever the team needs to win whenever it is needed, and is a team first guy.

He’s no passenger on this team, still its heart and soul, hope he doesn’t betray the values he declared to follow.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Seriously though....if the Caps are up, late in the game and the other team pulls their goalie.....if OV is out on the ice, if he's not out there to try and score a goal, please explain to me why he is on the ice and not sitting on the bench?

This does highlight the real issue, which is that the coach simply ought to put someone else on the ice in that situation. It’s not like Ovie is some great two-way player, he’s been on the ice for ENGs because of this record chase. Once it’s down to the final goal, just keep him on the bench and put a better two-way forward out there so there’s no dilemma.

 

[nergish]

He probably goes off to the side a bit, lays on his back, and tries to corral the puck into the net.

 

[Cats2TheCup]

Goalies want to be part of that historic moment. They will let him score.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Its AOs MO to score as many EN goals as possible. I think he waits for an EN to score the record breaking goal.

 

[Bouboumaster]

He would be Mad to not score on it

 

[Quinning]

It will be called back due to a missed offsides, and they'll have to stop the mid-game ceremony and start over again.

 

[Golden_Jet]

This does highlight the real issue, which is that the coach simply ought to put someone else on the ice in that situation. It’s not like Ovie is some great two-way player, he’s been on the ice for ENGs because of this record chase. Once it’s down to the final goal, just keep him on the bench and put a better two-way forward out there so there’s no dilemma.

There is no dilemma though.

 

[Randyne]

He won't be on the ice with EN

 

[tarheelhockey]

There is no dilemma though.

Weird that we’ve been talking about it for 4 pages then.

A coach shouldn’t put a player in that position, especially if he’s not a guy who would otherwise be on the ice in a defensive situation.