Capitals Report Card: Caps Beat Blue Jackets in Ovechkin’s Possible Final Game
· Yahoo Sports
The Washington Capitals (43-30-9) finish the 2025-26 season on a high note. They got their fourth straight win as they beat the Columbus Blue Jackets (40-30-12) 2-1 on Tuesday.
More importantly, this may have been the final NHL game for Alex Ovechkin. The Capitals captain received one final ovation from the crowd at Nationwide Arena.
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It’s a full circle moment for Ovechkin considering he made his debut against Columbus in October 2005. The 40-year-old recorded an assist as the Capitals sweep the season series (4-0-0) against the Blue Jackets.
“We try to win,” said Ovechkin. “We try to finish the season on a good note and I hope it’s not my last game. I don’t know what’s going to happen. We’ll see.”
The first goal came early in the middle frame when Boone Jenner scored for Columbus. However, Anthony Beauvillier responded with the tying goal in the same period.
Then, in the third, Jakob Chychrun came through on the power play with the game-winner. Clay Stevenson was also strong in net as he made 27 saves.
With the season already over, the Capitals finish fourth in the Metropolitan Division with 95 points.
Capitals Analysis
All eyes were once again on Ovechkin as he suited up for the Capitals possibly one final time. Though he remains undecided, the 40-year-old received plenty of cheers from the crowd in Columbus.
Many Capitals fans traveled up to Ohio to see The Great 8 once more. Like on Sunday, several people in the stands chanted, “One More Year” and “Ovi.”
Ovechkin looked impressive on the ice as he recorded a secondary assist on Chychrun’s goal. He also finished with a team-leading four shots, 12 attempts, and two hits through 18:24 of ice time.
Tuesday’s game was no longer a must-win, so several players got the chance to shine. Stevenson got the start in net and looked solid, stopping 27 of 28 shots.
After Jenner scored 27 seconds into the middle frame, the Capitals eventually responded. Trevor van Riemsdyk found Beauvillier going on the breakaway, as he deked and beat Jet Greaves to make it 1-1.
In the third, the Capitals went on a crucial power play, as Ovechkin made his presence known once again. He allowed for Chychrun to fire a shot past Greaves for the go-ahead goal. The 28-year-old finishes the season with 26 goals, the most among NHL defensemen.
With the secondary assist, Ovechkin finishes his 21st season with 64 points (32 goals, 32 assists) in 82 games. This also marked the first time since 2017-18 where The Great 8 appeared in all 82 games.
Capitals Report Card
Team: B+
The Capitals stepped up to finish the season with four consecutive wins. Had the team not been plagued by injuries and inconsistencies, they could have made the playoffs.
Alex Ovechkin: A
Ovechkin made quite an impression in what could have been his swan song. He recorded an assist to finish the 2025-26 season with 64 points (32 goals, 32 assists).
Clay Stevenson: A
Stevenson put up a solid effort stopping 27 of 28 shots against Columbus. The 27-year-old got the start over Logan Thompson and the injured Charlie Lindgren.
Anthony Beauvillier: A
Beauvillier sparked the Capitals offense with the game-tying goal in the second period. He finishes the season with 15 tallies.
Jakob Chychrun: A
Chychrun recorded the game-winner to help the team finish strong. He finishes with 26 goals, the most among NHL blueliners this season.
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