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Why did Alex Ovechkin wave off Penguinsā postgame handshakes?
TL;DR
Alex Ovechkin waved off the Pittsburgh Penguins' postgame handshakes after the Capitals' 3-0 victory, fueling speculation about his potential retirement. With only one game left in the season, Ovechkin's future remains uncertain as he plans to announce his decision this summer.
Rumors around Alex Ovechkin's potential retirement continue to swirl as the Washington Capitals now have just one game remaining in their season.
On Sunday, Ovechkin and the Capitals bested the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-0 to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. It'd take a lot to go right for the Capitals to make it into the playoffs, but for now Washington still has a shot at the postseason.
Amidst all of that, however, are the rumors that these games will be the final ones of Ovechkin's career before he retires when his five-year contract expires at the end of the season. Ovechkin recently stated that he plans to make his decision this summer, but given all the tributes and emotionally charged moments around Capitals games recently, it's been hard not to wonder.
After Sunday's game, Ovechkin fanned the flames of rumors once more, but this time in the direction of him possibly sticking around to play. The Penguins stayed on the ice after the game to shake hands with Ovechkin, but the Washington captain waved the team off to the locker room.
Fans, of course, latched onto the idea that Ovechkin waved the Penguins away because he actually plans on staying and an extended farewell would be pointless if he was returning. However, the Capitals could potentially meet the Penguins in the playoffs if Washington was to make it, so could Ovechkin be sending a message to his Metropolitan Division rivals? Or it could just mean that Ovechkin didn't want an extended on ice farewell tour at the end of the day.
It's hard to ascribe any meaning either way to Ovechkin waving off the Penguins, but it's certainly interesting nonetheless!
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Why did Alex Ovechkin wave off Penguinsā postgame handshakes?
Q&A
Why did Alex Ovechkin refuse to shake hands with the Penguins?
Alex Ovechkin waved off the Penguins' postgame handshakes to the locker room after their game, which has led to increased speculation about his future in the NHL.
What are the rumors surrounding Alex Ovechkin's retirement?
Rumors suggest that Alex Ovechkin may retire after this season as his five-year contract is set to expire, with a decision expected this summer.
How did the Capitals' win against the Penguins affect their playoff chances?
The Capitals' 3-0 victory over the Penguins kept their slim playoff hopes alive, although they still face a challenging path to qualify for the postseason.
