WASHINGTON – Lots of Flyers have played against Alex Ovechkin but only one, Sean Couturier, can say he’s played against “The Great 8” the longest.
The head-to-head rivalry resumed on Thursday night when the Flyers visited the Capitals at Capital One Arena.
During a pre-game media session, Couturier offered a slight smile at the suggestion it might be an “honor” to compete against Ovechkin, who is closing in on Wayne Gretzky’s alltime NHL record of 894 goals.
“It’s definitely special,” said the Flyers captain, who first went up against Ovechkin in the 2011-12 season. “I’m sure that when we’re done playing we can say that we played against the greatest goal scorer of all time.
“You just don’t want to be on the ice when he scores. Other than that, it is an honor to play against a guy like him.”
Ovechkin began play on Thursday night with 887 goals, needing seven to tie Gretzky and eight to pass.
For their careers, Gretzky scored 34 goals in 58 games while Ovechkin has registered 51 goals in 77 games.
Couturier said he has followed the career of Ovechkin, who began play in the NHL in 2005, for almost as long as he can remember.
“I kind of keep track,” Couturier said. “It’s been a couple years we’ve been talking about it (the record). It seemed like the last two years – no one expected it to happen this quick, I feel.
“I’m happy for him. It’s fun to see him get closer. But thankfully it’s not against us.”
While Gretzky was (and is) one of the most popular pro athletes in North American history, Nevertheless, Couturier believes fans and players are behind Ovechkin’s quest to get to the top.
“I think everyone is kind of rooting for him,” Couturier said. “Everyone wants to see and be a part of it in their life, I feel. Especially growing up, no one really thought the Gretzky record would ever be in play.
“Now here we are, close. I think everyone wants to witness it.”
>Couturier now longest-tenured
With the retirement of the Eagles’ Brandon Graham, Couturier now beomes the longest-tenured pro athlete still active in Philadelphia.
Couturier was asked for his reaction.
“It makes me feel old,” said the 32-year-old Couturier. “It’s definitely an honor. I came in at 18 and spent half my life here really when you think about it. So I’m just proud to be part of Philadelphia. . .it’s always been great to me, supported me through the ups and downs.
“I just love giving back. Hopefully I can be here another bunch of years.”
>Staying focused down the stretch
As captain of the team, Couturier realizes he has to help keep the Philadelphia players focused down the stretch even though postseason action is a long shot at best.
“I just want to make sure we’re still motivated in some way to prove the team that we are and what we’re going to become,” Couturier said. “I think we just have to play the right way, focus on ourselves.
“It could be easy to go on our own and play a run-and-gun game. And just cruise the rest of the year. But it’s important to stick together, keep growing as a team. We have to find a way to win those tight, low-scoring games.”
>Ristolainen still out
Both defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen and forward Garnet Hathaway remain on the injured list. According to the Flyers, Ristolainen is out week-to-week with an upper-body injury.
