TORONTO -- Sergei Fedorov is about to see a cherished NHL record of his fall, and he loves it.

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin needs one more goal to tie Fedorov for the most goals scored by a Russian in NHL history (483).

"It's awesome," Fedorov said Friday after being honored with his Hockey Hall of Fame ring. "Records are made to be broken, so to me he's always been the goal-scorer and when he got close, I'm like, 'Of course it's him.' "

Fedorov said he's hoping Ovechkin waits to tie or break the record until Tuesday, when the Capitals play the Detroit Red Wings on Sergei Fedorov Night at Joe Louis Arena.

"I would hug him in his uniform," Fedorov said. "He'd be all wet and my suit would be ruined, but I wouldn't care. I'll put it somewhere in the closet. I'd cherish that moment."

Fedorov raves about Ovechkin, especially considering how fast he's approached his record. Ovechkin has 482 goals in 771 NHL games. Fedorov scored 483 in 1,248 games.

"If he wouldn't have boards on his left side, he would be way better," Fedorov said. "He's a powerful guy, a tremendous skater, and most of all he knows what to do with the puck. When he's in the offensive zone, he doesn't need to see the net. That's the most amazing part of Alex."

Fedorov noted how it is rare that a former teammate of his will be breaking his record.

Ovechkin and Fedorov were teammates in Washington from the end of the 2007-08 season through the 2008-09 season. Fedorov played his last NHL game with Ovechkin as his teammate.

"I know Alex inside and out," Fedorov said.

That's why he felt comfortable tossing in a few digs at Ovechkin too.

"If I get his ice time, I'd be a little bit over 500 [goals] myself," Fedorov said. "I enjoyed playing the game [to] the fullest; defense, neutral zone, 4-on-5. Maybe I had a different approach because I could do just about anything. I can say that now, right?"

Sure he can, especially since Ovechkin called Fedorov the best player he's ever played with.

"He better say that," Fedorov said, laughing. "I'm so happy for him, so excited."

Follow Dan Rosen on Twitter at: @drosennhl