ELMONT, N.Y. — Nicklas Backstrom walked into the visiting dressing room Sunday, after Alex Ovechkin broke Wayne Gretzky’s NHL career goals record, with an awestruck look on his face.

Tom Wilson holding court in one corner. John Carlson in another. Nicklas Backstrom on a bench. T.J. Oshie nearby. The four Capitals who have been along for the Ovechkin ride the longest reveling ...