Alex Ovechkin's 21st NHL season ended on Tuesday, April 14, when theWashington Capitalswere officially eliminated fromthe Stanley Cup playoffs. Now, all anyone wants to know iswhether this will be the end to Ovechkin's NHL career.
Immediately after Tuesday's regular season finale, the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer sounded open to scoring more goals and coming back for a 22nd season.
"I hope it’s not my last game,"Ovechkin told reportersafter theCapitals' 2-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday, April 14.
Feb. 28: Referee Cody Beach stops the fight between the Washington Capitals' Connor McMichael and Montreal Canadiens' Kaiden Guhle (21) during the third period at the Bell Centre.
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Jan. 19: San Jose Sharks goalie Alex Nedeljkovic (left) fights Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky during the third period at Amerant Bank Arena.
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Nov. 6: Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) fights Minnesota Wild center Tyler Pitlick (19) after his hit injured Carolina's Jalen Chatfield.
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Oct. 18: Florida Panthers left wing Brad Marchand (63) is held back by a linesman after scuffling with Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin. Marchand is holding Dahlin's helmet and later pulled off the straps in the penalty box.
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NHL physicality: Players fight, deliver big hits
Feb. 28: Referee Cody Beach stops the fight between the Washington Capitals' Connor McMichael and Montreal Canadiens' Kaiden Guhle (21) during the third period at the Bell Centre.
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Ovechkin, 40, reiterated his ultimate decision to continue playing in the NHL will occur this offseason, beginning with meetings after the season with coach Spencer Carbury, the Capitals' front office and owner Ted Leonsis. Ovechkin just completed the final season of a five-year, $47.5-million contract that he signed in 2021.
He told former Capitals teammate, T.J. Oshieduring an ESPN interview before Tuesday's game, "It's going to be not an easy decision. Sometimes you want it, sometimes you don't."
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This is the first time since 2023, and just the fifth time in Ovechkin's career, that the Capitals did not qualify for the NHL's postseason. Though Tuesday's finale had no playoff implications by the time the puck was dropped, Capitals fans in attendance in Columbus, Ohio in case it was Ovechkin's final game chanted, "One more year," and "O-Vi."
Ovechkin waved off the Pittsburgh Penguinswhen they attempted to do a postgame handshake line to honor their rival after the Capitals' home finale on Sunday, April 12.
"I don’t know what’s going to happen," Ovechkin told reporters on Tuesday,according to NHL.com. "The fans that came here from D.C. and from different spots to watch the game, it was very nice. I can hear their cheering for me and scream 'One more year!' So, that’s important, too. It shows lots of respect. So, thanks for the support."
Ovechkin appeared in all 82 games this season and once again led Washington with 32 goals and 64 points.
Carbury said there was a discussion in the Capitals' locker room Tuesday after the game about Ovechkin's uncertain future, but declined to discuss the details. Longtime teammate Tom Wilson got emotional while explaining Ovechkin has kept everyone in the dark at this point.
"He's doing his best job just to keep it normal," Wilson said. "He definitely doesn't want any extra attention. I mean, he's the man. However he wants to do it, I think he's going to let it go down. But right now, he's not tipping us. He's not telling us what's going on."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Alex Ovechkin unsure about NHL retirement after Capitals finale