Ovechkin response to fans' request for 1 more year: 'I'll think about it'
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.