Evgeni Malkin states that "now it’s like no choice" that Alex Ovechkin, "my best friend," is going to surpass the NHL's all-time goals record.

: Alan Dobbins/RMNB

The Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins are scheduled to face off on Saturday, marking their return to play after the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off hiatus. Two prominent players will transition directly from spending time together during their break to competing against each other on the ice. On Wednesday, following Penguins practice, Evgeni Malkin revealed that he recently spent time with Alex Ovechkin. According to Malkin, the Capitals' star player was reluctant to discuss his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goals record with him. "We have dinner in Miami together, I see him, we talk a little bit," Malkin said. "He just relax. I try to ask him about goals, but he doesn’t want to talk too much. He wants just enjoy it, he wants just relax." Ovechkin will enter Saturday's game in Pittsburgh with 879 career goals — only 16 goals away from holding the record outright — while Malkin will be returning from a lower-body injury that kept him out of six games. "I want to say maybe a couple years ago, I’m not believe he’s broken the record," Malkin said. "But now it’s like no choice, of course, maybe not this year, but 100 percent next year. "He’s Russian, he’s born from Russia," he added. "It’s good for everybody from Russia, I hope. And again, he’s my best friend. I hope no injury to him, it’s most important right now, everybody knows. And Washington play unbelievable. This big challenge in a game against Washington. We be ready, for sure." If genuine, Malkin's claim that he and Ovechkin are best friends signifies a further development in what was initially a rocky relationship during their early careers. While their bond has strengthened over time, Ovechkin reportedly punched Malkin’s agent, Gennady Ushakov, in the face in 2007, and it was believed that their tense on-ice interactions around that time stemmed from that event. The two Russian stars initially demonstrated that they had resolved their differences at the 2009 All-Star Skills Competition, where Malkin assisted Ovechkin's game-winning attempt in the Breakaway Challenge. Since then, their friendship has been quite visible, with Malkin attending the Capitals’ captain’s birthday celebration and congratulating him after reaching 700 career goals. He also played on the same line as Ovechkin and Ovi Jr. in an Ovi Cup exhibition game this past summer. Ovechkin reciprocated the congratulations earlier in the season after Malkin scored his 500th career goal against the Buffalo Sabres. Then there was whatever this was. Malkin has accumulated 34 points (9 goals, 25 assists) in 47 games this season for the Penguins. The 38-year-old center announced his return for Pittsburgh against the Capitals after being sidelined since sustaining an injury early in a January 25 game against the Seattle Kraken. "I feel good," Malkin said. "I mean, I’ve not played last like five games, and it’s a break, it’s helping me for sure. I have a couple days rest, a little bit of workout, and good practice yesterday, today. I mean, ready to play for sure, first game against Washington. And again, little bit rest. We have what, 25 games left? Big push for us. I’m excited to be back." In the meantime, Ovechkin has scored 42 career goals against Pittsburgh, but none have occurred in his two games against them this season. 'via.RMNB'