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Alexander Ovechkin Opens Final NHL Season Facing Familiar Scoring Drought
Washington Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin has opened his final NHL season with a four-game scoreless streak, matching his personal negative record for the longest wait to score his first goal of a campaign. Entering his 22nd year in the league, the 41-year-old forward has tallied just one assist through the opening stretch while chasing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time scoring marks, Šport.sk reported.
Capitals Secure Early Wins While Captain Searches for First Goal
Despite Ovechkin’s quiet start on the scoresheet, the Capitals have managed to collect crucial early-season points. The Russian veteran was held without a goal in matchups against the Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins, and New York Rangers.
Family-Led Entrance Highlights Emotional Home Opener Against Pittsburgh
Prior to Washington’s 5–3 home victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, the team hosted an emotional pre-game ceremony. Pravda.sk reported that instead of being announced individually by the arena announcer, Ovechkin waited in the tunnel until his two sons, Sergei and Ilya, stepped up to the microphone to announce their father’s jersey number and name. Teammates, including Slovak defenseman Martin Fehérváry, saluted the captain by tapping their sticks on the ice as he stepped onto the playing surface.
Protests Outside Capital One Arena Over Political Ties
The pre-game festivities outside the arena also drew demonstrations. Pravda.sk reported that a small group of protesters gathered outside Capital One Arena holding Ukrainian flags and banners, chanting slogans urging fans not to support Ovechkin due to his public backing of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Inside the venue, however, fans gave a rousing reception to the franchise cornerstone, who led the club to a Stanley Cup title in 2018.
Comparison With Previous Sluggish October Starts
A slow start to October is familiar territory for the veteran forward. Šport.sk pointed out that Ovechkin has endured equally barren opening stretches in three prior seasons—2012–13, 2023–24, and 2025–26—in each of which he also waited until his fifth appearance of the schedule to net his maiden goal of the year.
Ovechkin Faces Seattle Kraken on Sunday
Ovechkin will look to break his scoring drought and close in on Gretzky’s milestone when the Washington Capitals host the Seattle Kraken on Sunday at 23.00 CET (17.00 local Washington time).
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