Alex Ovechkin was back on the ice Saturday, playing in the gala match on the final day of the Ovi Cup in Moscow, Russia. While Ovechkin’s eldest son, Sergei Ovechkin, was the true star of the show with four goals, the legendary winger also got on the scoresheet with a marker of his own.
After the friendly game was complete, Ovechkin spoke with the Russian sports tabloid “Mash on sports” in the locker room. The Washington Capitals captain was asked what his goals were for the 2025-26 season, and he only had team success on his mind.
“Play well and try to win the Stanley Cup,” Ovechkin said.
Ovechkin has previously stated that winning another Stanley Cup is the sole goal he wants to accomplish before wrapping up his NHL career. During a 2022 interview with Russian outlet Match TV, he even placed bringing home another championship above surpassing Wayne Gretzky for the league’s all-time goals record.
“For the rest of my career, my goal is to win the Stanley Cup again,” Ovechkin said then. “I would like to do just that. And personal records, including this one, we will try. I’ll try to score, and then we’ll see.”
Ovechkin broke Gretzky’s record this past year, scoring his 895th career goal against the New York Islanders on April 6. With the primary individual accomplishment now checked off his list, all that remains is getting back to a Stanley Cup Final.
The Capitals won the 2018 Stanley Cup with Ovechkin taking home the Conn Smythe Trophy as NHL playoff MVP after posting 27 points (15g, 12a) in 24 postseason games. Since then, the Caps have managed to win just one playoff series over the past seven years, eliminating the Montreal Canadiens in the first round this past spring.
Ovechkin has already started preparing for training camp in the fall ahead of what will be his 21st season in the league.
“Everything is fine, we are preparing with a positive attitude and a good mood,” Ovechkin said.
The Capitals finished atop the Eastern Conference standings this past season and should be one of the favorites in the Metropolitan Division again during the 2025-26 campaign. The season is the last on Ovechkin’s contract with the Caps, and he has said he will likely play out the year before deciding on his future with the club.
