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Alex Ovechkin is contemplating his retirement from the NHL, leaving fans chanting '1 more year' as he exits the ice. His future remains uncertain as he reflects on his career.
Apr 14, 2026; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) salutes the fans as he leaves the ice after the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images
Russell LaBounty/Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images
COLUMBUS, Ohio â Alex Ovechkin hasnât decided if his final NHL game already happened.
If it did, the Russian superstar made sure he got on the scoresheet.
Ovechkin assisted on Jakob Chychrunâs go-ahead goal during the third period of the Washington Capitalsâ 2-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
âItâs pretty cool. We tried to win, and we tried to finish the season on a good note,â he said.
Ovechkin â who led the Capitals to the Stanley Cup in 2018 â is in the final season of his contract. He has continued to reiterate that he will take some time to ponder if he will retire after 21 seasons and 1,573 regular-season games.
âIâm going to stay a little bit in D.C. I donât know when weâre going to fly (back to Russia). ... Iâll talk with Carbs (coach Spencer Carbery), CP (general manager Chris Patrick), my family and go from there,â Ovechkin said during his 3-minute postgame remarks.
A large contingent of Capitals fans made the trip to Columbus and chanted âOne more yearâ and âOvi! Ovi!â during the final minute. He also got a standing ovation as he left the ice.
âI donât know whatâs going to happen. The fans who came here from D.C. and different spots to watch the game which was very nice,â Ovechkin said. âI could hear them cheering for me and screaming one more year.â
Ovechkin was on the ice for final 1:49 after the Blue Jackets pulled their goalie. His teammates tried to get him the puck for one final goal, but he was unable to control the puck when he had a clean look at the empty net.
âI wanted him maybe if this is it, to ice it with one more empty net. He had a good look at it. The puck just was rolling,â Carbery said.
If Ovechkinâs final game was against the Blue Jackets, it would be fitting. His NHL debut came on Oct. 5, 2005, against Columbus where he scored the first two of his record-setting 929 goals.
Washington got its third power play after Columbusâ Miles Wood was sent off for high sticking at 14:06 of the third period. Ovechkin had a couple chances for his favorite spot inside the left faceoff circle, but Blue Jacketsâ goaltender Jet Greaves was able to make a great save on the first attempt.
The Capitals took the lead with 4:07 remaining on Chychrunâs shot from the slot. Ovechkin got the second assist, his 32nd of the season.
âItâs an honor. I think we all are trying to soak up everything we can all the time we have with him. We donât know whatâs in store, but itâs special to have these memories with him,â Chychrun said. âWe all know what he does out there on the ice, but getting to know him off the ice has been even more special.â
On his opening shift, Ovechkin became the fifth player age 40 or older in NHL history to play in all 82 regular-season games. The last person to do it was Jaromir Jagr with the Florida Panthers in 2016-17. The others were Detroitâs Nicklas Lidstrom (2010-11), Anaheimâs Teemu Selanne (2011-12) and Tampa Bayâs Dave Andreychuk (2003-04). Jagr also did it with the New Jersey Devils in 2013-14.
It was the fifth time in 21 seasons Ovechkin has not missed a regular-season game.
Ovechkin led the Capitals this season with 32 goals and 64 points. He ended the season with a point in three straight games with one goal and two assists.
Washington finished two points shy of a playoff spot, the fifth time it has failed to reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs since Ovechkin was the top pick in 2004.
For those hoping Ovechkin goes at least one more year, he did leave a glimmer of hope.
âI hope itâs not my last game. I donât know how exactly itâs going to happen, so weâll see,â he said.
Alex Ovechkin has not made a definitive decision about his retirement from the NHL.
Fans chanted '1 more year' as Alex Ovechkin exited the ice, expressing their desire for him to continue playing.
The last game Alex Ovechkin played was on April 14, 2026, against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
In his last game, Alex Ovechkin ensured he contributed by getting on the scoresheet.

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