The Washington Capitals’ 2-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets in their final regular season game on Tuesday turned out to be a dead rubber for both teams after they were eliminated from the playoff race by the Philadelphia Flyers’ win on Monday. But for Capitals fans, it could well be the last time they see their star, Alex Ovechkin, take the ice.
The 40-year-old has yet to make a decision whether he will return to Washington’s lineup for next season, as his five-year, $47.5 million contract he signed in 2021 expires. After their final home game in Washington, which they won 3-0 over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday, Ovechkin stated he will decide in the offseason.
He maintained that stance during the postgame interviews on Tuesday.
“I hope it’s not my last game,” Ovechkin said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. So, we’ll see.”
Ovechkin earned a point via an assist on Jakob Chychrun’s winning power-play goal. He had a chance to score in the dying stages of the game when Columbus had pulled the goalie for an extra attacker, but his shot from the right side missed the goal.
As he exited via the tunnel, Washington fans who had travelled to Ohio chanted his name in unison. The Russian professional put his hands together in gratitude and headed for the visiting locker room.
“How I said, I don’t know what’s gonna happen,” Ovechkin said “The fans who came here from D.C. and from different spots to watch the game, it was very nice, you know? I could hear them cheering for me and screaming, ‘One more year.’ It’s important, shows lots of respect.”
Alex Ovechkin, the leading scorer in NHL history, has 929 goals for the Capitals. In his 21-season career, he led the Capitals to a Stanley Cup win in 2018. He has 77 playoff goals, taking his combined total to 1,006 goals, just ten behind Wayne Gretzky.
Alex Ovechkin to have discussions with Capitals management
The Capitals failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2023. The dead rubber wasn’t ideal, but, according to Ovechkin, it helped the team’s gameplay.
“The season is over,” Ovechkin said. “Obviously, you don’t want to end like that, but it’s a learning process for young guys. … I think it’s on us and, obviously, last night was not a good scenario for us and for Columbus as well.”
Washington will be aware that they have a few changes to make if they are to regain their contendership next season. If they are without Ovechkin, replacing his production will be a big task for the management.
The 2004 first round pick said that he will have discussions with Spencer Carbery, general manager Chris Patrick, team president Brian MacLellan and owner Ted Leonsis after the end of season meetings.
“We’re going to stay a little bit in D.C.,” Ovechkin said. “I don’t know when we’re going to fly, probably May, fly back home.”
If he doesn’t return to the ice again, Ovechkin would complete a full circle in the NHL. He made his debut as a 20-year-old in 2005, coincidentally against the Columbus Blue Jackets, scoring two goals on that day.
Edited by R. Nikhil Parshy
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