All articles tagged with #ovechkin
Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby, whose 20-year rivalry defined an era, could meet for the last time this weekend in their 100th and 101st head-to-head, with Ovechkin’s future uncertain and both players reflecting on their historic clash and off-ice friendship.
Ovechkin and Crosby, two of hockey’s defining stars, will close out the regular season with back‑to‑back games—the 100th and 101st head‑to‑head meetings of their 21‑season rivalry. With the Capitals fighting for a playoff spot and the Penguins already clinched in the Metro, the weekend matchups in Pittsburgh and Washington have fans wondering if this could be the final chapter of their enduring duel, as both players emphasize enjoying the moment and playing the right way while continuing to push their historic careers (Ovechkin with 928 goals; Crosby with 1,761 points).
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.
Capitals roll out a 700-pound line for Ilya Protas's NHL debut, skating with his 6-foot-6 brother Aliaksei and Tom Wilson as Washington's second line against the Maple Leafs. The trio’s combined weight is about 700 pounds, a fact captain Alex Ovechkin called the heaviest line in the league. Teammates and Leafs staff offered playful notes on their size, while Capitals coach Spencer Carbery highlighted their size and smart positioning as a help for the rookie’s transition. Puck drop is 7:30 p.m. at Scotiabank Arena, with Carbery typically giving debutants the opening shift.
Capitals fans are paying premium for Sunday's home game against the Penguins amid retirement buzz surrounding Alex Ovechkin, with average TickPick tickets near $377 and nosebleeds above $220, though Ovechkin has not confirmed retirement and the era-ending speculation grows as his contract nears expiration and John Carlson’s trade stirs talk of the team’s arc.
Alex Ovechkin hasn’t decided on a 2026-27 return and will wait until summer to consult Capitals ownership and staff. At 40, health is a major factor as he weighs retirement after 21 NHL seasons, a possible re-signing with Washington, or finishing his career in Dynamo Moscow (KHL); the Capitals will support his decision, and there may be no formal farewell if he departs.
Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin, 40, says he will wait until the off-season to decide if this season will be his final in the NHL, nearing the end of his contract while focusing on helping Washington reach the playoffs; he will consult with family and Capitals leadership before making a decision in the summer.
The Washington Capitals defeated the Utah Mammoth 7-4 in Salt Lake City in a chaotic, penalty-filled clash highlighted by Alex Ovechkin’s 34th career hat trick, a physical game sparked by Tom Wilson, and two goals from Ivan Miroshnichenko. Logan Thompson stopped 36 shots for Utah, while Mammoth’s 21 penalty minutes reflected the night’s rough nature.
Alex Ovechkin reached 1,000 combined goals (923 regular-season, 77 playoff) in a 3-2 OT loss to Colorado, narrowing the all-time gap to Gretzky to 16. He celebrated quietly, and a Russian-language interview suggested he downplays the significance of the combined stat, arguing that every goal is a record and that he’ll chase milestones including playoff goals as well.
Colorado Avalanche defeated the Washington Capitals 3-2 in overtime, with Alex Ovechkin scoring his 1,000th combined goal; Capitals led early on Justin Sourdif’s breakaway, but Colorado answered with goals from Landeskog and Nicolas Roy, and Logan Thompson held Washington through two periods. Washington earned a loser point and stays in playoff contention ahead of their next game against St. Louis.
Five Friday NHL games preview: Colorado Avalanche can clinch a playoff berth with a point against Chicago as Cale Makar nears 500 career points; Alex Ovechkin eyes his 1,000th combined goal at home versus New Jersey; Sebastian Aho is one point shy of a third straight 70-point season as Carolina visits Toronto; Seth Jones returns for Florida against Calgary; Utah Mammoth seek a playoff berth hosting Anaheim; Leafs will be without Auston Matthews. Schedule: Hurricanes at Maple Leafs, Devils at Capitals, Avalanche at Blackhawks, Panthers at Flames, Ducks at Mammoth.
Alex Ovechkin described the John Carlson trade as a shock and the hardest day of his career, saying goodbye to a teammate of 17 seasons and a close friend who helped steer the Capitals to their 2018 Stanley Cup, after learning of the move in the morning and acknowledging that more changes could come.
Alexander Ovechkin notched his 20th goal of the season as Washington earned a win, while Tomas Hertl erupted for a five-point performance to power Vegas past San Jose 7–2. The Jets distributed offense against New Jersey with Iafallo, Toews, Vilardi and Pearson contributing, and Connor Hellebuyck turning in 24 saves; New Jersey leaned on Cody Glass for two goals as the Hughes brothers contributed, amid the ongoing Dougie Hamilton saga and Kovacevic’s late assist. Elsewhere, Boston edged Pittsburgh with Victor Arvidsson scoring the lone goal and Joonas Korpisalo delivering solid netminding, and in Salt Lake City Dmitri Voronkov’s OT winner for Columbus capped a night of notable performances, with Werenski and Marchenko aiding the play; Roman Josi also produced multi-point nights for Nashville.
Alex Ovechkin scored his 19th goal of the season as the Washington Capitals defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 5-1, ending Chicago's four-game winning streak. The game featured returnee Connor Bedard and a rare appearance by 45-year-old emergency backup goalie Dave Nozzolillo. The Capitals' victory was boosted by key goals from Ovechkin, McMichael, and Frank, while Chicago struggled with injuries and illness.
NHL.com staff predicts exciting developments for 2026, including Ovechkin re-signing with the Capitals to chase 1,000 goals, the Florida Panthers potentially winning a third straight Stanley Cup, and the Montreal Canadiens making a deep playoff run, amidst other bold forecasts for teams and players.