Captain’s two sons introduce him in front of raucous crowd as he embarks on his farewell season.
Read more NFL tells Supreme Court prediction markets are gambling, not investing
The crowd at Capital One Arena for the Washington Capitals’ home opener Wednesday night thought they knew what was next. With the rest of the team waiting at center ice after pregame introductions, only one player remained in the tunnel: Alex Ovechkin.
The crowd started chanting for him, anticipating his arrival. Except, unlike everyone else, Ovechkin’s name wasn’t read over the loudspeakers. His two sons, Sergei and Ilya, instead stood at a microphone on the red carpet. For the last time, Ovechkin’s name was announced for the home opener, and it was his two sons, two of the biggest reasons he’s ready to step away from the National Hockey League, who helped him kick off the start of the lasts.
His children and wife were nervous for the big moment. But, after some practice, they pulled it off. A collective awe from the crowd turned into more chants for the longtime Capitals captain. Then it was time to get to work. The Capitals beat the Pittsburgh Penguins, 5-3, behind a goal and two assists from Tom Wilson.
“It was a memorable night, first game of the year at home,” Ovechkin said. “Lots of fans, it was special.”
Ovechkin didn’t make a direct impact on the score — he’s yet to even find the back of the net this season. The Capitals forward group is more well-rounded this year, and that means they don’t have to rely on Ovechkin as much. So on Wednesday, he wasn’t on the ice during a five-on-three in the third period.
Ovechkin “understands what we are trying to accomplish as a team and the great players we have around him,” said Coach Spencer Carbery.
Ovechkin’s contribution, though, goes far beyond his performance in the first three games of the season.
There was speculation that last season would be Ovechkin’s last, but he kept everyone, including the coaching staff, in the dark until he was ready to make a decision. In July, he signed a one-year deal to return for his 22nd season. He decided over the summer, with the help of his family, that this would be his last, which he again kept to himself.
Ovechkin dropped hints to close teammates, including Wilson — the only other player remaining from the team that won the Stanley Cup — during a team bonding trip, but otherwise kept his plans to himself until Monday. After a 1-1 road trip to start the season, Ovechkin sat his teammates down before the off-day practice. He broke the news to them, then to the rest of the world.
Read more Congress launches probe of youth sports giant AAU
By doing so before the home opener, he knew there would be extra pageantry, even though he doesn’t want extra fanfare around his farewell season.
Wednesday was just the start. His off-the-ice allegiance with Russian President Vladimir Putin has drawn criticism — and a small group of protesters gathered pregame outside the arena — but there were only signs of support for Ovechkin inside the arena. There was added anticipation, too, with the opponent being the Penguins and Sidney Crosby, beginning the closing chapter of the storied rivalry between two of the greatest hockey players of all time.
“We respect each other,” Ovechkin said about Crosby. “He still does lots of great things out there.”
This one, the first of four final meetings between the two stars, belonged to the Capitals. Carbery said Wednesday morning that his team doesn’t feel extra pressure, but rather a sense of urgency to make this season count for Ovechkin. That was evident from the start, when Anthony Beauvillier scored 23 seconds into the game to give the Capitals a 1-0 lead.
The Penguins kept it tight, responding less than a minute later on a goal by Bryan Rust, before the Capitals jumped out to a 4-1 lead with goals from Wilson and Pierre-Luc Dubois, each notching their first of the season and Alex Tuch his third of the season. The Penguins inched back a little bit at the end of the second period, getting within one after goals from Tommy Novak and Nick Robertson, but Ryan Leonard scored in the third period to secure the 5-3 win.
In April, the Capitals will again host the Penguins for another milestone game, this one being Ovechkin’s last at home. Until then, he and his teammates will continue to soak up all the moments they can.
“It’s been such an incredible journey,” Wilson said. “Cool to see his kids down there and see them come out on the ice. He’s a legend in this city. I think everyone had big smiles, you had chills watching him come out. You just have to try to soak it all in.”
Notes: Matt Roy, who suffered a lower-body injury in Saturday’s loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, was scratched. He is considered day-to-day but has not skated yet. … Dylan McIlrath was called up, starting on the third line with Cole Hutson.
Read more Jayden Daniels’s risky return can’t solve all of the Commanders’ problems
