Alex Ovechkin’s retirement announcement put a date on the end of one of hockey’s longest-running storylines, and it also sharpened the focus on how little time remains for Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin to share the ice against him.
Ovechkin said he will retire after the 2026-27 season, making the news official before Washington’s first home game. In a statement released by the Capitals on Monday morning, the 41-year-old said that he is "excited" to share one more season with his teammates and "enjoy every moment."
For Crosby, that means the matchups that have defined so much of the modern NHL are almost gone. Ovechkin and Crosby entered the league as the No. 1 picks in back-to-back drafts, with Ovechkin going first in 2004 and Crosby following in 2005. Malkin, meanwhile, was taken No. 2 behind Ovechkin in the 2004 draft.
"I'm sure it's something he'd be asked about a lot, so it's nice for him to just be able get that out there and enjoy playing and focus on hockey," Crosby told reporters on Monday. "Definitely have had some great battles over the years, and obviously, when you get to our age, that's something that you have to make decisions on.
"For him, as long as he's happy and enjoying it, that's the biggest thing."
Malkin also weighed in, even though he usually skips media availability after morning skates. His connection to Ovechkin goes beyond the rivalry, since the two played together for the Russian national team early in their careers and were roommates during the 2006 Winter Olympics.
"It's hard because he's a legend. Fans love him," Malkin said.
"He's done everything for the team, for the league. I hope he plays good this year, no injuries.
He just stays healthy, scores goals and enjoys the game."
The tension that once defined Capitals-Penguins meetings has softened into something else over time. Crosby said the relationship has changed through years of battles, with respect replacing much of the old edge.
"Over the years, I've developed a friendship with him," Crosby said. "I have a ton of respect for him. You play against someone that long, and you're compared and see each other enough, I think that's something that builds over time."
There will still be a few more chapters left. The Penguins and Capitals are scheduled to meet four times in the 2026-27 season, beginning on Wednesday, Oct. 7.
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For Penguins fans, the larger picture is hard to miss: Crosby is still playing on an expiring contract, and he has made clear he wants to keep going beyond the current horizon. Ovechkins future now has a defined endpoint, while Crosbys does not, which only adds another layer to a rivalry that has long been about more than wins and losses. [Read more 🡒]