Cooley admired Crosby, but he grew up a Washington Capitals fan for a very specific reason: Alex Ovechkin. “That's the real one,” said Cooley, who's now playing for the Utah Hockey Club.

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates his empty net goal with defenseman Matt Roy (3) during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers, Tuesday ...

Cooley admired Crosby, but he grew up a Washington Capitals fan for a very specific reason: Alex Ovechkin. "That's the real one," said Cooley, who's now playing for the Utah Hockey Club.

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin, center right, gets the puck past Philadelphia Flyers' Ivan Fedotov, center left for a goal, during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Feb.

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates his empty net goal with defenseman Matt Roy (3) during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers, Tuesday, Feb. 4, ...

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, of Russia, hoists the Stanley Cup after the Capitals defeated the Golden Knights in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals Thursday, June 7 ...

Ovechkin has 72. Gretzky also had another 56 in the World Hockey Association regular season and playoffs, while Ovechkin has 57 from his time in the Russia-based KHL.

Ovechkin will try to chip away at that number against the Utah Hockey Club at Capital One Arena on Sunday (12:30 p.m. ET; Utah16, MNMT, SN) before the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off. It was ...