Wednesday morning after practice, Alex Ovechkin met with the media and discussed his march to 1,000 points. With a goal or assist tonight, Ovechkin will hit the historic milestone against the team’s biggest rival, the Pittsburgh Penguins, on national TV.

Ovechkin reflected on his career, looked forward to his family being at the game, and also mentioned how honored he would be to join fellow Russian Sergei Fedorov in the record books.

“Yeah, it’s small, but it’s a very legendary club,” Ovechkin said. “I got lucky to play with Fedorov for a couple years and knowing him as a person. It would be nice to be with him in the same company.”

Fedorov was one of Ovechkin’s favorite players growing up as a kid.

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Ovechkin, Oshie and Backstrom talk after #CapsPens morning skate. pic.twitter.com/IoejCHvkfr

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 11, 2017

What are your thoughts on potentially reaching the 1,000-point plateau tonight?

Alex Ovechkin: “Oh, it’s a big number. Obviously, it’s nice to get it home, in front of fans, in front of my family. It’s a big moment.”

Would it be any more special to get it against your rivals?

Alex Ovechkin: “You know, it doesn’t matter which team we’re going to play or where when you get those kind of milestones, you just want to get it and move forward.”

Is there a secret to playing through an injury and how durable you’ve been through your career?

Alex Ovechkin: “Of course I’ve had some injuries in my body, but sometimes you just have to play with it. If it’s not pain to miss the game, I’m pretty sure every player has lots of bruises and lots of bones.”

You said before milestones like this means you’re getting old. So, what are some way in which you feel old and what are some old man things you do?

Alex Ovechkin: “Oh, I don’t feel old. Just when you get 1000 points, you’ve been in the league for a long time, so I’m still young.”

Alex, have you given any thought to the company you keep among Russian players if you were to get this milestone?

Alex Ovechkin: “Yeah, it’s small, but it’s a very legendary club. I got lucky to play with Fedorov for a couple years and knowing him as a person. It would be nice to be with him in the same company.”

Is it wild to think, I know you have games every night so it’s hard to think about where you are right now, when you’re entering this game tonight to think ‘1000, that’s a pretty big number?’

Alex Ovechkin: “Obviously, one of my friends texted me and said they’re going to watch the game from back at home. For them it’s rivalry night between Washington and the Pens. I have friends who are cheering for the Penguins, but they’re cheering for me right now. So it’s gonna be a great day obviously for fans and for us. It’s going to be a fun match to play.”