Washington Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin recalls the ecstatic feeling of playing against his childhood idols in the NHL, specifically Mario Lemieux and Owen Nolan. Current rookie Macklin Celebrini shares a similar sentiment as he prepares to play against Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby, two players he has long admired. Despite Celebrini's successful rookie season with 20 goals, Ovechkin continues to shine with 33 goals this season, closing in on Wayne Gretzky's all-time record. Ovechkin acknowledges Celebrini’s talent, wishing him luck as he enters this competitive landscape.
"It was a dream come true," Ovechkin said Friday at SAP Center. "Playing in the NHL is one thing, but when you play against your idols and big names, it's always memorable."
"Those two went on it for two decades, and I'm still watching them," Celebrini said of Ovechkin and Crosby. "They're always going to be two of the all-time greats, and (it's awesome) just to watch them and learn from them."
"You can't really copy his shot. He's kind of mastered that 1t, and whenever you think the goalie is there and the defense is in the way, he just still blows it by them."
"I don't see all the highlights, but he's a talented guy. I wish him luck," Ovechkin said about Celebrini.
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