Washington Capitals legend Alexander Ovechkin is only 20 goals away from tying Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL record, but he's already getting his hands on Gretzky's gear.
Ovechkin, a longtime collector, has always loved the Great One.
On a TNT broadcast, Gretzky detailed a story about how Ovechkin always asked him for a game-used stick, but he wouldn't gift one until the Washington star won a Stanley Cup.
When the Capitals finally lifted Lord Stanley in 2018, Ovechkin called Gretzky the next day and asked for the stick.
Now, in pursuit of Gretzky's 894-goal record, Ovechkin has a chance to move closer to the mark Tuesday night when the Caps face off against the Edmonton Oilers, whom Gretzky won four Stanley Cups with.
Following Monday's practice in Edmonton, Ovechkin visited the Oilers' team museum, where he held a game-worn Gretzky jersey and posed for a photo wearing Gretzky's gloves and holding a game-used stick.
"The #Gr8 stopped by the Edmonton Oilers Hall of Fame Room at Rogers Place after practice today to pay respects to The Great One," the Caps put on social media.
Matt Liberman is a reporter and video producer for cllct.