The Washington Capitals find themselves in a tight spot as they gear up to resume play following the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Mathematically, Coach Spencer Carbery's squad still has a shot at the postseason, but the margin for error is razor-thin.
They can't afford any more losses. Adding to the pressure is the looming question of Alex Ovechkin's contract extension.
Will Ovi Stay with Washington?
Currently, the Capitals sit fifth in the Metropolitan Division with a 29-23-7 record. They're trailing the Eastern Conference leaders, the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning, by just 13 points. This gap is not insurmountable, but it demands a Herculean effort from Ovechkin to keep their playoff hopes alive.
As Ovechkin approaches his 41st birthday, the question of whether he wants to continue shouldering such a heavy load becomes pertinent. Could he seek a team where championships are more easily within reach? While his future with the Capitals is uncertain, Ovechkin's immediate focus seems to be elsewhere.
"No, I don’t know yet. We have to make a decision. We have to talk with the family, with Ted Leonsis, and then we'll see," Ovechkin shared.
He expressed optimism about the team's prospects post-Olympics, citing improvements in their schemes, rotations, and chemistry.
"It's how I said, we have ups and downs. It's not about me.
You can see everybody was maybe a little struggling because last year, we scored like five, six goals in a game and it was easy. Right now, it's a kind of a struggling to find a way to find the net and I hope this break is going to help us, and now we're going to play much better," Ovechkin stated.
Throughout the 2025-26 season, Ovechkin has been solid, racking up 48 points with 22 goals and 26 assists. His physicality remains a factor, evidenced by his 98 hits, 10 blocks, and seven takeaways. Just a year removed from winning the Messier Award, his leadership and intangibles continue to be a cornerstone for the Capitals.
The road ahead for the Capitals is challenging, but with Ovechkin's experience and skill, they have a fighting chance to make a postseason push. Whether Ovechkin will continue this journey with Washington remains a story to watch.