Ovechkin response to fans' request
for 1 more year: 'I'll think about it'
[April 13, 2026]
By DAVID GINSBURG
WASHINGTON (AP) — If this was indeed the final home game of Alex
Ovechkin's sensational NHL career, the Washington Capitals star
collected enough memories to take him deep into retirement.
From the opening faceoff to the celebratory post-game skate in which
he waved gratefully to the adoring fans, Ovechkin enjoyed one heck
of a day, Best of all, the Capitals won Sunday to remain in the
playoff hunt.
Playing in front of an appreciative sellout crowd, the Capitals beat
the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-0. Ovechkin will wait until the offseason
to decide whether to retire or return for a 22nd NHL season, but the
fans weighed in early in the game by chanting, “One more year!”
Afterward, surrounded by his two young sons, Ovechkin had this
response to that request: “I'll think about it,” he said with a wry
smile.
Ovechkin turns 41 in September, but the league's all-time leading
goal scorer with 929 isn't exactly limping to the end of his
brilliant career. He leads the Capitals with 32 goals and 63 points,
and he received an assist on the empty-net goal that clinched
Sunday's pivotal win.
“It's a big moment for us right now,” he said. “Everybody was dialed
in.”
The Capitals must win their regular-season finale in Columbus on
Tuesday night and hope Philadelphia fails to win either of its
remaining two games. No matter how it plays out, and regardless of
whether he decides to come back or not, Ovechkin will always have
this day to savor.
“I'll remember this moment, the atmosphere that was tonight,” he
said.
It was no ordinary afternoon, and the Capitals knew it.
“You could tell, the game felt different and the night felt
different,” Washington coach Spencer Carbery said. “A lot of great
moments.”
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Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) salutes the fans
after an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Sunday,
April 12, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
It was an unusual game right from the start, when
Ovechkin joined Pittsburgh great Sidney Crosby at center ice for the
opening faceoff.
“The opening draw, I got a kick out of that,” Carbery said, before
adding,. “I just caught myself watching in certain moments, taking
it all in.”
It was the 100th meeting between Crosby and Ovechkin. Crosby and the
Penguins have won more times than not, but Ovi has certainly made an
impression on Sid the Kid.
“He came in with such high expectations, and he passed them,” Crosby
said. “To be the greatest goal scorer of all time and to do what
he's done, its impressive.”
Carbery hopes that Ovechkin will add to his lofty goal total in
2026-27, but regardless, the coach is thankful to have been
associated with The Great 8.
“If it is the end of his career, I smile thinking of those moments
because been blessed to be his coach when he broke the all-time
goals record and I was the coach that was with him at the end,”
Carbery said. “I don't take that for granted one minute.”
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