All articles tagged with #capitals
The Pittsburgh Penguins were eliminated by the Philadelphia Flyers in overtime in Game 6 of the 2026 playoffs, marking eight straight seasons without a playoff-series win since their 2018 exit to the Washington Capitals. The piece notes Kuznetsov’s overtime winner that year as a turning point and highlights Pittsburgh’s ongoing postseason struggles, including several years missing the playoffs.
Capitals GM Chris Patrick and president Brian MacLellan said they’re giving Alex Ovechkin time to decide his future, with plans for either him returning to a Cup-contending window or moving on. They emphasized the goal of keeping the team competitive, discussed a potential role for Ovechkin next season, noted ownership involvement and cap-space flexibility, and indicated a decision would ideally come around the draft but will respect Ovechkin’s process.
The NHL announced the 2026 Draft Lottery will be held May 5 in Secaucus with a live ball-drawing format broadcast on ESPN, Sportsnet, and TVA Sports to determine the order of the first 16 picks. Vancouver Canucks hold the best odds at 18.5% to win the top pick, while the Washington Capitals have the joint-worst 0.5% chance to move up 10 spots to sixth. The lottery uses 1,000 combinations and only the top 11 seeds can move up. Gavin McKenna is viewed as the likely No. 1 pick; the 2026 Draft takes place June 26-27 in Buffalo with a decentralized format. A Toronto- Bruins dynamic about a potential pick transfer remains part of the storyline.
Alex Ovechkin said he doesn’t know yet if he’ll retire, telling reporters he hasn’t made a decision as his team contemplates the season, and even his young sons are left guessing as they ask about his future.
Before what could be Alex Ovechkin’s final NHL game, he sat for a pregame ESPN interview with longtime Capitals teammate TJ Oshie, who surprised him with his go-to snack duo—Subway and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. The pair discussed Ovechkin’s future, health, and the difficult decision ahead, noting he played all 82 games this season at age 40—the fifth player in NHL history to do so—and reflecting on what he might miss if he retires.
Carolina is sitting top players (Aho, Svechnikov, Jarvis, Slavin, Gostisbehere) against the Flyers, giving Philadelphia a real shot to end Washington’s playoff hopes. A Flyers win in regulation or overtime/shootout eliminates the Capitals, who can max out at 95 points with a win over Columbus. If Philly only earns a point versus Carolina, Washington would need Montreal to lose on Tuesday to stay alive. Jalen Chatfield returns for Carolina, and Brandon Bussi has won five straight; the Flyers have struggled against the Hurricanes historically (8 straight losses, 16 of 17).
Alex Ovechkin hinted at an undecided future after what could be his final Capitals home game, waving off the Penguins during a handshake line as Crosby organized the gesture. The 100th Capitals–Penguins meeting ended with Ovechkin earning an assist on Connor McMichael’s empty-net goal, and he noted he’ll decide whether to return this summer despite fans chanting for “One more year.”
Evgeni Malkin states he doesn’t believe Alex Ovechkin will retire after this season, predicting a return next year because he’s still hungry and had a 30-plus goal season. The longtime rivals and friends shared dinners and memories off the ice, underscoring their deep bond from Russian junior days to the NHL as Ovechkin’s possible final home game unfolded.
Ahead of what could be Alex Ovechkin's final Capitals home game, he shared a legendary pregame photo with Sidney Crosby as the Penguins visit; the two are set to face off in their 100th career meeting, with Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang briefly in frame before departing, and Ovechkin remaining undecided about returning next season.
Penguins travel to Capital One Arena for a 3 PM ET clash with the Capitals on April 12, 2026, broadcast on TNT/HBO Max and radio on 105.9 The X and the Penguins app. Pittsburgh, fresh off a playoff-clinching win, aims to keep heating up behind a high-scoring offense led by Malkin as Crosby nears a historic assists milestone, while Washington looks to capitalize on home ice. The preview highlights Crosby–Ovechkin history and notes key Penguins contributors like Rakell, Chinakhov, Soderblom and Mantha in their pursuit of more postseason momentum.
Capitals dominate a depleted Penguins lineup 6-3, controlling possession and scoring chances. Rookie Ilya Protas scores his first NHL goal and posts three points, the first Capitals teenager with 3 points in a game since 1984; fellow rookie Cole Hutson adds two assists in his early-career burst; Ryan Leonard scores twice to reach 20 goals as a rookie; Tom Wilson tallies his 30th goal; playoff odds are about 8% per MoneyPuck, with several scenarios still in play as the Capitals chase a postseason spot.
In his second NHL game, 19-year-old Ilya Protas scores his first NHL goal on a third-period power play and adds two assists as the Capitals beat the Penguins 6-3, assisting on Aliaksei Protas’s goal and Tom Wilson’s, giving him three points in the game and four in two contests, with Ovechkin celebrating the milestone puck and praising his performance.
The Pittsburgh Penguins, after clinching a playoff berth and second place in the Metropolitan Division with a win over the Devils, will rest eight players for Saturday’s game against the Capitals, including Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. The lineup shakeup also sidelines Ben Kindel, Bryan Rust, Parker Wotherspoon, Erik Karlsson and Connor Dewar. A Sunday rematch in Washington could set up Crosby vs. Ovechkin for the 100th time if both dress.
Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin will meet for their 100th and 101st head-to-head in a weekend home-and-home, a marquee chapter in hockey’s greatest rivalry, with Crosby hoping to enjoy the competition as Pittsburgh pursues playoff position and home ice while Ovechkin contemplates the end of his career.
Washington Capitals rookie Cole Hutson scored an empty-netter vs. Toronto, but his celebration turned to embarrassment when he realized a two-on-one pass could have set Ilya Protas up for his first NHL goal; Protas still earned his first NHL point in his debut, and Hutson later apologized as the Protas brothers celebrated.