A Family Introduction for a Farewell Season
Alex Ovechkin's sons, Sergei and Ilya, announced their father onto the ice before the Washington Capitals' home opener on Wednesday night, and the Russian star received a standing ovation. The 41-year-old Ovechkin had said earlier in the week that this would be his final season. He described the moment as pretty cool, noting the huge crowd and his children announcing his name, and called it special.[S1][S2][S3][S4][S5][S6][S7][S8]
Ovechkin was the last player introduced as the roster was announced one by one, with his children doing the honor. Coach Spencer Carbery said he had no idea any of that was happening and thought they nailed the moment, calling it special for everybody in the building. Tom Wilson, who had a goal and two assists, said it had been an incredible journey and that seeing Ovechkin's kids down there was cool, adding that Ovechkin is a legend in the city and that people had big smiles and got chills watching him come out.[S1]
Capitals Win as Ovechkin and Crosby Are Held Off the Scoresheet
Washington beat Pittsburgh 5-3 on Wednesday night. Ovechkin did not add to his NHL career-leading total of 929 goals and recorded two shots on goal. He was on the ice when Anthony Beauvillier gave Washington a 1-0 lead 23 seconds into the game. The Capitals' lone power-play goal came from Ryan Leonard, scored from the left circle where Ovechkin so often sets up. Ovechkin was not on the ice during an extended period at the end when the Penguins pulled their goalie.[S1][S2][S3][S4][S5][S6][S7][S8]
The game was the 101st meeting between Ovechkin and Pittsburgh star Sidney Crosby, including playoffs. Neither player managed a point, only the 11th time that has happened, according to Sportradar. Crosby finished at minus-4 after being on the ice for all four of Washington's even-strength goals. Carbery said he would not claim Ovechkin does not want to be out there, but that Ovechkin also understands what the team is trying to accomplish and the great players around him, which is why the Capitals have assembled a roster with enough depth that Ovechkin no longer needs to play every second of Washington's power-play time.[S1]
