Columbus, Ohio — Alex Ovechkin It hasn’t been decided yet whether his final NHL game will be Tuesday night. If that was the case, the Russian superstar made sure he got on the scoresheet.
Ovechkin assisted jacob chicrunAim to move forward during the third period of washington capitals‘ win 2-1 Above columbus blue jackets.
“It’s great,” Ovechkin said. “We tried to win, and we tried to finish the season on a good note.”
Ovechkin, who led the Capitals to the Stanley Cup in 2018, is in the final season of his contract. He continued to reiterate that he would take some time to consider whether to retire after 21 seasons and 1,573 regular season games.
“I’m going to stay in DC for a bit, I don’t know when we’re going to fly out [back to Russia]. …I’ll talk carbs [coach Spencer Carbery]CP [general manager Chris Patrick]My family and get out of there,” Ovechkin said during his three-minute remarks after the game.
A large contingent of Capitals fans traveled to Columbus and chanted “One More Year!” Raised slogans. and “Ovi! Ovi!” During the last minute. As soon as he came out of the snow, he received a standing ovation.
Ovechkin said, “I don’t know what’s going to happen. The fans that came from D.C. and different places to watch the game, it was great.” “I could hear them cheering for me and yelling for another year.”
Ovechkin was on the ice for the final 1:49 after the Blue Jackets pulled their goalie. His teammates tried to get him the puck for an eventual goal, but he was unable to control the puck when it looked at the empty net.
“I wanted him to, maybe if that’s the case, ice it with another empty net,” Carberry said. “He got a good look at it. The puck was just moving.”
If Ovechkin’s final game was against the Blue Jackets, it was fitting. His NHL debut came on October 5, 2005 against Columbus, when he scored the first two of his record-setting 929 goals.
Washington gets its third power play after Columbus miles wood Sent off for high sticking at 14:06 of the third period. Ovechkin had a few chances at his preferred spot inside the left faceoff circle, but the Blue Jackets goaltender jet greaves Was successful in making a brilliant save in the first attempt.
The Capitals took the lead with 4:07 remaining on Chikroon’s shot from the slot. Ovechkin got his second assist, his 32nd assist of the season.
“It’s an honor,” Chicrun said. “I think we’re all just trying to enjoy all the time we spend with her. We don’t know what the future holds, but it’s special to have these memories with her.
“We all know what he does out there on the ice, but it’s even more special to know him off the ice.”
In his debut, Ovechkin became the fifth player age 40 or older in NHL history to play all 82 regular season games. The last person to do so was Jaromir Jagr Florida Panthers In 2016-17. The others were Detroit’s Nicklas Lidstrom (2010–11), Anaheim’s Teemu Selanne (2011–12) and Tampa Bay’s Dave Andreychuk (2003–04). Jagger also did it with this New Jersey Devils In 2013-14.
It was the fifth time in 21 seasons that Ovechkin missed a regular season game.
Ovechkin led the Capitals with 32 goals and 64 points this season. He finished the season with one point in three straight games, along with a goal and two assists.
Washington finished two points shy of a playoff spot, marking the fifth time it has failed to reach the Stanley Cup playoffs since Ovechkin was the top selection in 2004.
For those who were hoping Ovechkin would go at least another year, he has left a glimmer of hope.
He said, “I hope it’s not my last game. I don’t know exactly how it’s going to go, so we’ll see.”
