“My family and I decided this summer that this will be my final year in the NHL,” said Ovechkin to his teammates. “I love this game so much, but I know in my heart it’s the right decision. It was important for me to make this announcement before our first home game, so I have the chance to thank all the people around the game, everyone who has been so important to me and my family and helped me through good times and tough losses.

“I wouldn’t have been able to achieve everything I have in my life without them. I am excited about this season with my teammates, and we will do everything we can to make this year special. I am going to enjoy every moment with my family, my boys, our fans and everyone who has been part of my hockey career. See you Wednesday, babes!”

One of the most influential players in NHL history has already cemented his legacy, and he will look to add to it as much as possible during this final stretch of his career. How many more records will Ovechkin break before he officially calls it a career?

Wayne Gretzky, one of the potential victims

There is no doubt that Wayne Gretzky’s name also ranks among the most important in recent times. Alongside Ovechkin, he has established himself as one of the greatest goal scorers of the modern era.

The Capitals star is just 11 goals shy of passing Gretzky’s 1,016 for the most combined goals in NHL history, including the regular season and playoffs. Will he finally get there?

Ovechkin’s assists

Ovi’s talent extends far beyond scoring goals, as he has also proven to be an excellent playmaker. Ovechkin is just four assists away from passing Nicklas Backstrom’s 762 for the most assists in Capitals history.

A lifetime with the Capitals

This season, Ovechkin joined an exclusive group as one of the only players in NHL history to play 22 seasons with the same franchise, alongside legends such as Gordie Howe. In fact, if Ovi records another 20-goal season, he will tie Howe with 22 such seasons, matching him for the most in NHL history.

Another milestones

• 12 points from reaching 1,700 career points
• 25 games short of the 1,600-game milestone
• 33 games away from moving past Patrick Marleau (1,607) for the second-most games played with one franchise in NHL history
• 36 points away from surpassing Mario Lemieux for ninth-most points in NHL history

Key takeaways

• Alex Ovechkin announced he will retire from professional hockey after this NHL season ends.
• Passing Wayne Gretzky’s 1,016 total goals requires just 11 more goals.
• Ovi needs four more assists to top Nicklas Backstrom’s all-time franchise mark.

Per NHL.com, Alex Ovechkin is expected to play tonight, Friday, October 2, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET, when the Washington Capitals open their season against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Capitals will have their star as the ice welcomes them to the 2026 season.

Although he missed most of the preseason with a lower-body injury, Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery and team reports indicate that he is healthy. Ovechkin participated in morning skate, and is ready to go for the opening matchup at Lenovo Center.

How key is Ovechkin for the Capitals?

Alex Ovechkin remains a foundational player for the Washington Capitals. He serves as the franchise’s emotional leader, all-time leading goal-scorer, and primary power-play weapon entering his 22nd NHL season. The veteran is still going strong and efficient at 41 years old.

Serving as captain since 2010, his presence has become vital for mentoring young roster pieces and high-profile veteran newcomers alike, setting a unified standard in the locker room. Ovechkin is more than just a great hockey player, he is a one-of-one leader.

The Capitals are underdogs vs Hurricanes

The Hurricanes are the defending Stanley Cup champions and loss their season opener in heartbreaking fashion against the Florida Panthers in overtime. Now, this is their first home game and will want to bounce back.

Of course, Ochevkin and the Capitals will want to spoil the party. However, not only are they away from home against the current champs, but the Hurricanes already logged in a competitive matchup, while this will be the first for Washington. The rhythm could take a toll on the Capitals.

Key takeaways

• Alex Ovechkin is expected to play in the Washington Capitals’ season opener against Carolina.
• The 41-year-old forward missed most of the preseason with a lower-body injury.
• Carolina dropped its season opener against the Florida Panthers in overtime.

“It’s still there, maybe not to the extent that it was,” Crosby stated on his rivalry with Ovechkin and the Capitals, via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “Hopefully people have been entertained. As competitors, as athletes, it’s been pretty cool to be able to be a part of some big games and that rivalry.”

The cooldown in the rivalry was made clear before puck drop and after the final horn in Washington’s 3-0 victory over Pittsburgh in the 2025–26 NHL season. Crosby and Ovechkin shared a moment before the game and were also together afterwards, when Crosby and Evgeni Malkin signed Ovi’s jersey and gifted him some memorabilia from the game. Moreover, Ovechkin thanked Crosby after the potential last matchup in the league.

Crosby vs Ovechkin: A rivalry built on respect

As fierce competitors as they are, and as much as both want to win against the other, Crosby and Ovechkin have built a bond over the years. As Crosby noted, the rivalry shifted a long time ago. The Penguins and Capitals haven’t been as competitive in recent years, and neither star has had it out for the other.

Instead, it seems both have become more aware of the other’s greatness. Despite being pitted against one another for their entire careers, both Crosby and Ovechkin have the utmost respect for one another, and their rivalry is far from an animated one nowadays.

Playoff matchups between Crosby and Ovi

Much can change if the Capitals end up coming away with a postseason berth. If Washington secures the third spot in the Metro Division, it will go up against second-seeded Pittsburgh in the first round. Perhaps that’s exactly what the rivalry needs to reignite its competitive flame.

Crosby’s Penguins and Ovechkin’s Capitals have met four times in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, with the former holding a 3-1 series advantage. Moreover, the Pens are 9-2 all-time against the Caps in playoff series.

Washington is by far the team Pittsburgh has knocked out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs the most. Maybe Ovechkin will get the last laugh. Or perhaps Crosby will send him into retirement with yet another playoff elimination.

As it stands, that might be a best-case scenario for the Capitals, who are in need of somewhat of a miracle to even make the postseason. As it stands, the Philadelphia Flyers are in full control of their destiny as the third seed in the Metro.

That would make for a vintage playoff showdown between the Flyers and Crosby’s Penguins. Contrary to his rivalry with Ovechkin and the Caps, that matchup will be filled with vitriol, as Crosby has lost none of his dislike for the Pens’ cross-state rivals.

“Me and Sid have a battle. We have lots of history. Obviously, it’s a special night for me, and for him, as well,” Ovechkin commented on facing Crosby on what might’ve been his last home game at Capital One Arena in Washington.

Ovechkin might have had the last laugh over Crosby in their historic rivalry, which was fueled by the utmost respect between the two best players of their generation, and two of the greatest in NHL history. Although Pittsburgh is headed to the Stanley Cup Playoffs and Washington could miss them, the Caps defeated the Pens by a score of 3-0 in what could’ve been the last “Ovechkin vs. Crosby” matchup.

The feeling that this might’ve been Ovi’s last dance was strong all game long. However, Ovechkin left the door open on a return to the Capitals next season. As the Russian goal machine admitted himself, fans will have to wait until the summer to learn his decision.

100th all-time showdown between Ovechkin and Crosby

Fans in Pittsburgh didn’t love the fact Crosby sat out the potential last game against Ovechkin at PPG Paints Arena. However, the Pens’ captain made sure to participate when his team traveled to the nation’s capital. As Crosby missed the Capitals’ 6-3 win over the Penguins on Saturday, Sunday’s matchup was the 100th time the two stars faced off in NHL history (including Stanley Cup Playoffs games).

Playoff race

While speculation and retirement rumors have taken over around the City of Monuments, Ovechkin and the Capitals remain focused on making the postseason. They are in for a steep climb, but anything can happen. There is only one ticket up for grabs in the Eastern Conference, and that is the third-place seed in the Metropolitan Division.

That means that if Ovechkin and the Caps somehow make the Stanley Cup Playoffs, they will face Crosby and the Pens in the first round. The more things change, the more they stay the same. It’d be the fifth time Ovi and Sid meet in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. If that happens, the “Ovechkin vs. Crosby” rivalry will truly be the gift that keeps on giving in the NHL.

“Thank you very much, guys, I love you so much. You’ve been tremendous over the years. We’ll see what’s going to happen,” Ovechkin said in a message to fans during his postgame interview after being named the first star of the game by the Capitals.

Ovechkin has openly admitted he will make a decision on his future during the summer. As he is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the age of 40 (turning 41 on Sept. 17), Ovechkin is going to consider all his options. Those include retiring from the NHL to return to Russia, where he’d likely play for Dynamo Moscow in the KHL, running it back in Washington, or retiring entirely.

Ovechkin didn’t shake hands with Penguins

If Capitals fans hoped to see more signs that Ovi may return next season, there was another after the final horn went off. As Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and the Penguins waited on the ice to shake hands with Ovechkin after the game, the Russian star waved them off.

During his postgame press conference, Ovechkin made that clear with a concise statement. “[I waved them off] because I haven’t decided yet. Thanks to them for waiting out there,” Ovechkin, who also thanked Crosby after a potential final game, told reporters after the 3-0 win.

If Ovechkin ends up retiring after the 2025-26 NHL season, several players on the Penguins may regret they couldn’t share one last moment with Ovechkin on an NHL rink. However, Ovechkin revealed—to no one’s surprise—that he met privately with Crosby and Malkin after the game.

Ovechkin’s contract situation

Ovechkin signed a five-year, $47.5 million contract extension with the Capitals back in July 2021. He is set to play his last NHL game under that contract when the Capitals take on the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 14. Not many expected Ovechkin to still be competing at the highest level by the age of 40. Still, the Russian goal machine is showing no signs of slowing down.

If it were up to the Capitals, they’d sign him to a new contract in a heartbeat. However, the ball is entirely in Ovi’s court. The decision is his—and his family’s—to make. His health is the main factor behind the speculation and retirement rumors, as well as the time he spends away from his family due to the busy schedule of an 82-game NHL season.

If Ovechkin decides to step away, no one will hold a grudge against his decision. Still, everybody in Washington—and across the league—hopes he stays for a while longer. That was made clear as fans inside Capital One Arena chanted for Ovi to play “one more year.” He’s clearly still got it.

Ovechkin stayed healthy

For the first time since the 2017–18 campaign, Ovechkin will appear in every single game of a season for the Capitals. It’ll be only the fifth time in his career he has managed to stay fully healthy throughout a season. Or perhaps he’s battled through injuries to help out his team in the playoff race and to make the most of his potential last dance.

The scenes inside the Caps’ home after the 3-0 victory over the Pens definitely had the feel of a farewell from Ovechkin. Regardless, anything can happen, and the Russian star won’t make any decision public until the offseason. At the moment, all he cares about is making the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It’s a very steep climb, but if the Philadelphia Flyers happen to stumble, then the Caps could shock the world and snag a playoff ticket.

The veteran captain is listed as day to day with a lower-body injury, and his absence immediately changes the tone of a game that carried significant historical intrigue. Fans had circled the date as a possible final head-to-head meeting between Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, two of the defining players of their generation.

Crosby’s absence is particularly notable given the significance of Penguins vs Capitals matchups over the past two decades. Games between Pittsburgh and Washington have frequently centered on the rivalry between Crosby and Ovechkin, who helped define the NHL’s modern era. With both players nearing the later stages of their careers, every potential meeting now carries added weight. However, the priority for the Pens is the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Have Penguins clinched a spot in NHL playoffs?

Yes. The Penguins have already clinched a playoff berth and secured second place in the Metropolitan Division. That positioning gives Pittsburgh some flexibility to rest key players, which likely factored into the decision to hold Sidney Crosby out.

Locking in second place also provides clarity for Pittsburgh’s playoff path. The Penguins can now focus on recovery, lineup experimentation, and maintaining rhythm without risking long-term setbacks. It’s important to remember they’ll have home-ice advantage in the first round.

As a result, while today’s game loses the potential Crosby versus Ovechkin storyline, the bigger picture favors caution. The Penguins are focused on entering the postseason at full strength, even if that means fans must wait for another opportunity to see one more chapter in one of the NHL’s most iconic rivalries.

Who is out for Penguins vs Capitals?

The Penguins released a broader injury update that sidelined several key contributors. Crosby is joined by Ben Kindel (upper-body), Evgeni Malkin (upper-body), Bryan Rust (lower-body), Parker Wotherspoon (upper-body), Erik Karlsson (lower-body), and Kris Letang (upper-body), all listed as day to day. Connor Dewar (lower-body) will also miss the game and is considered week to week.

Ovechkin and Crosby have marked a generation of hockey players, and will continue to do so for ages. It felt like their on-ice rivalry would go on forever, but the finish line is now closer than ever. The Penguins and Capitals will face-off in a home-and-home back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday in what could be the last time the two icons go head to head.

Sunday’s showdown will be even more special, as it might be the last time Ovechkin ever plays a game in Washington—the only city he’s ever called home in his 21-season career. As a result, everybody wants to have a seat at Capital One Arena, and prices are going through the roof.

According to Axios, the average get-in price on third-party resale platforms (such as TickPick) is set at $377. That is well above the $102 average price for home games in the Nation’s Capital City. As reported by this source, the price has surpassed the previous peak of $319, which was set on April 10, 2025—the first home game after Ovechkin seized the all-time goals record in the NHL. This time around, the occasion is even more special.

Is Ovechkin retiring?

Ovechkin recently admitted he will take his sweet time during the summer to make a decision on his future. The Capitals’ captain will turn 41 before the 2026–27 campaign. Since capturing the all-time goals record in the NHL, there isn’t really a clear goal for him to go after.

After all, he has accomplished everything any player could ever dream of. If he decides to call it a career, he can walk away from the rink with his chin held high. Fans in Washington wish he could play forever, though. Needless to say, whenever he retires, a statue in his honor will be erected in the City of Monuments.

Ovechkin’s stats against Crosby’s Penguins

So far in their careers, Ovechkin and Crosby have met 74 times. When the 2025–26 NHL season comes to an end, the total number of games will be at 76—unless either one of them misses one of their upcoming bouts. Ovechkin has scored 38 times against the Penguins when Crosby is in the lineup.

When adding the games Crosby didn’t play in, Ovechkin has 42 goals against Pittsburgh. Over the weekend, he’ll hope to add to his total. Perhaps it will be the last time the two will meet. After all, Ovechkin only gets one chance to make a last impression.

Ovechkin and the Capitals are currently four points out of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. However, the organization is seemingly waving the white flag on the season.

Watching Nic Dowd be traded to the Vegas Golden Knights sent a disheartening message to the players, but giving up Carlson to the Ducks was a massive blow that neither Ovechkin nor anyone else saw coming. Thanks to the trade, the Ducks added a Stanley Cup-winning defenseman while most of the league was asleep, including Carlson, who woke up to the news.

After hearing the news, Ovechkin dropped a blunt admission putting the front office on notice. “Alex Ovechkin said this is the saddest day of his career personally after John Carlson was traded,” as reported by NHL.com‘s Tom Gulitti. “Keep fighting. We’re still in this,” Ovechkin said to his teammates, via The Hockey News’ Sammi Silber.

Capitals on high alert

Ovechkin’s statement shouldn’t be overlooked by the organization. With much speculation around his future in the NHL, nothing can be taken for granted when it comes to “The Great 8”. Ovechkin has yet to sign a contract extension in Washington, as his five-year, $47.5 million deal (signed in 2021) is set to expire after the 2025-26 campaign.

If the Capitals miss the playoffs after separating Ovi from one of his longest-tenured teammates, the prospect of the leading scorer in NHL history leaving could become very real. Whether he would join another organization in the league or return to Russia remains to be seen, though he has admitted to plans for a return to Dynamo Moscow.

Brandon Duhaime added a goal and an assist, Dylan Strome also scored, and Matt Roy contributed three assists. Charlie Lindgren stopped 23 shots for the Capitals, while Yaroslav Askarov allowed four goals on 12 shots before being replaced by Alex Nedeljkovic.

“He did a great job of helping us build that lead,” Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said of Ovechkin, according to NHL.com. “He’s finding himself in and around the net. There’s another example of how good his hands are in tight.”

Ovechkin’s milestones

Ovechkin’s two goals brought his career total to 911, passing Ray Bourque for the sixth-most games with one franchise. He also extended his points streak to six games, tallying four goals and five assists during that stretch.

Rookie Ryan Leonard scored twice and added two assists, becoming the first Capitals rookie with a four-point game since Nicklas Backstrom in March 2008. Leonard’s second goal early in the third period capped a dominating performance from Washington.

Capital’s performance

Washington jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first period with goals from Ovechkin, Sonny Milano, and Leonard, then added a short-handed strike from Duhaime. Ovechkin’s power-play goal in the second, along with Strome’s deflection, made it 6-0. Leonard scored again in the third, and Dmitry Orlov’s slap shot off Pavol Regenda’s skate finalized the 7-1 win.

Despite late scratches to John Carlson (upper-body) and Justin Sourdif (lower-body), Carbery expects both players to return soon. The Capitals now look to maintain momentum with Ovechkin and Leonard leading the charge.

Against the Montreal Canadiens, Ovechkin delivered a vintage performance, completing a hat trick with the kind of poise, precision, and instinct that have defined two decades of dominance. Age may have slowed his ice time, but it hasn’t touched his scoring touch.

With the feat, Ovechkin became the oldest player ever to record a hat trick against the Canadiens, a milestone that underscores both his longevity and sustained impact.

How Ovechkin sparked Washington’s momentum

The performance also extended his current hot streak. Entering Thursday, Ovechkin had scored a goal in three straight games; his hat trick against Montreal stretched that run to four, fueling a Capitals team that has now won three consecutive contests.

Efficiency defined his night. Ovechkin recorded only three shots on goal — and every single one found the back of the net. For a player whose prime featured high-volume shooting nights, this precision reflects a late-career evolution rooted in experience and positioning.

Ovechkin’s production

Through 21 games this season, Ovechkin has totaled 10 goals and 10 assists, maintaining a near point-per-game pace that keeps his legendary numbers climbing. With Thursday’s performance, he now stands at 907 career goals, further extending the NHL’s all-time record.

He has also accumulated 736 assists for 1,643 points across 1,512 games, reinforcing the consistency and durability that have defined his career. Few players in the league’s history have sustained elite scoring output for as long as Ovechkin has.

What lies ahead for the Capitals’ captain

If his recent stretch is any indication, Ovechkin remains a driving force behind Washington’s push up the standings. As long as he stays healthy and continues producing at this pace, the story of Ovechkin’s historic career is far from finished — and NHL history will continue to shift each time he steps on the ice.

After yet another dominant showing in the 2025-26 NHL season, Marchand extended his point streak when facing Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals with the Florida Panthers. Most importantly, the former third-round selection recorded his 1,000th point in his 17-year career.

Though still a ways from reaching Crosby and Ovechkin atop the NHL’s active leaderboards, Marchand once again proved his worth, further cementing his name in the Hall of Fame conversation for whenever he decides to hang up the skates. At the moment, the 37-year-old veteran is playing some of the best hockey of his career, and has no intention to slow down in South Florida.

How many points had Crosby registered by the age of 37?

By the age of 37, Crosby—turned 38 on August 7th—had amassed 1,687 points in his NHL career. The former first overall selection in the 2005 Draft had recorded 625 goals and 1,062 assists. Contrary to Marchand, Crosby has scored every point of his professional career with the same team: the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Marchand, however, has done most of his work while playing for the Boston Bruins. Though his time with the Florida Panthers has been nothing short of remarkable, Marchand registers 976 points (422 goals and 556 assists) with the Bruins, while the remaining 24 have been with the Panthers.

Ovechkin’s production by the age of 37

If the word ‘timeless’ had a face, it’d probably be Ovechkin’s. The Capitals captain has been as lethal as ever well into the twilight of his career. When most players start planning the next stage of their lives, Ovechkin only had time to chase down NHL records.

By the age of 37, Ovechkin hadn’t broken the all-time goals record—held by Wayne Gretzky at 894 goals—nor had he cut the ribbon on the 900-goal club, but his resume was still one few players in league history could compete with. At 37, Ovechkin had scored 1,485 points, thanks to his 822 goals and 663 assists.