"Trying not to give him any space": Patrick Kane sends strong warning to Alex Ovechkin as he closes in on historic record

Patrick Kane was drafted first overall in the NHL three years after Alex Ovechkin. Over their careers, the two superstars have achieved plenty, winning a combined four Stanley Cups, four Hart Trophies, two Conn Smythe Trophies, and two Calder Trophies, among other honors.
On Tuesday, these future Hall of Famers will face off when Kane’s Detroit Red Wings take on Ovechkin’s Washington Capitals. However, while they’ll be on the same ice, they’re each chasing very different goals at this stage in their careers.

The Red Wings are two points behind the final wild-card spot with 15 games remaining. Meanwhile, Alex Ovechkin leads the Eastern Conference-leading Capitals with 96 points and is just eight goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time record.

"It's a great story, but, obviously, we're fighting for our lives, and we know he's a dangerous weapon for that team," Kane said to NHL.com. "So, we're trying not to give him any space whether it's 5-on-5 or the power play and limit his chances of shooting it at the net."
"I think a lot of us probably thought that record would never be broken and here he is," Kane said on Tuesday. "Eventually, he's going to break it at some point in time. So, pretty cool to see the reaction it's getting, the excitement that's kind of building around the game and obviously their franchise. Their team's having a great year, but that's such a big story. It's been fun to follow, too. I think everyone that's playing the game is excited for him to get a chance to break that record and see that happen,"Kane added.
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Kane admitted that many believed Gretzky’s goal record would never be broken, but now Ovechkin is on the verge of making history. He noted the excitement surrounding the milestone, not just for Ovechkin but for the entire Capitals franchise, which is having a great season. Kane also said that players across the league are eager to see Ovechkin break the record and appreciate the significance of the moment.