Ovechkin Leads Capitals to Win in Possible Final Game

Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin heard chants of "One more year!" from fans in what may have been his last NHL game.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 4:33am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the final moments of a hockey player's game, with sharp, overlapping planes of blue, red, and white representing the team's colors and the player's movements on the ice.As Alex Ovechkin's storied NHL career potentially comes to a close, the Capitals' captain leaves the ice to a standing ovation from devoted fans.Columbus Today

In what could be his final NHL game, Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin recorded an assist on the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Ovechkin, who is in the final season of his contract, has not decided if he will retire after 21 seasons and 1,573 regular-season games. Fans in Columbus chanted "One more year!" and "Ovi! Ovi!" during the final minute, and Ovechkin received a standing ovation as he left the ice.

Why it matters

Ovechkin is one of the greatest players in NHL history, having led the Capitals to the Stanley Cup in 2018. His potential retirement would be a major loss for the sport, and his decision will be closely watched by hockey fans around the world.

The details

Ovechkin assisted on Jakob Chychrun's go-ahead goal in the third period to give the Capitals the lead. He had a couple of chances to score an empty-net goal in the final minutes, but was unable to control the puck. Ovechkin played in all 82 regular-season games this year, becoming the fifth player age 40 or older to do so in NHL history.

  • Ovechkin's NHL debut came on October 5, 2005 against the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he scored the first two of his record-setting 929 goals.
  • Ovechkin led the Capitals this season with 32 goals and 64 points.
  • The Capitals finished two points shy of a playoff spot, the fifth time they have failed to reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs since Ovechkin was the top pick in 2004.

The players

Alex Ovechkin

A Russian superstar who has played 21 seasons in the NHL, all with the Washington Capitals. He led the Capitals to the Stanley Cup in 2018 and is one of the greatest players in NHL history.

Jakob Chychrun

A Capitals player who scored the game-winning goal in the third period, assisted by Ovechkin.

Spencer Carbery

The head coach of the Washington Capitals.

Chris Patrick

The general manager of the Washington Capitals.

Jet Greaves

The goaltender for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

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What they’re saying

“It's pretty cool. We tried to win, and we tried to finish the season on a good note.”

— Alex Ovechkin

“It's an honor. I think we all are trying to soak up everything we can all the time we have with him. We don't know what's in store, but it's special to have these memories with him.”

— Jakob Chychrun, Capitals player

“I wanted him maybe if this is it, to ice it with one more empty net. He had a good look at it. The puck just was rolling.”

— Spencer Carbery, Capitals head coach

What’s next

Ovechkin will take some time to ponder his decision on whether to retire or return for another season. He plans to stay in Washington, D.C. for a bit and discuss his future with the team's coach and general manager, as well as his family.

The takeaway

Ovechkin's potential retirement would be a major loss for the NHL, as he is one of the greatest players in the sport's history. However, his performance in what may have been his final game, and the outpouring of support from fans, suggests he still has the drive to continue playing at a high level.