Alex Ovechkin returns to Capital One Arena on Wednesday night, chasing another milestone in his legendary career. The Washington captain needs one goal at home to pass Gordie Howe for second place on the NHL’s all-time home goals list.
Ovechkin spent the Olympic break relaxing with friends and family in Dubai after Russia was banned from competing in the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics. Now refreshed and ready, the 40-year-old faces the Philadelphia Flyers in a crucial Metropolitan Division showdown at 7 p.m. ET.
The Washington Capitals and Alex Ovechkin remain barely out of a playoff position
The Capitals sit outside playoff position at 29-23-7 with 65 points. Washington trails the Boston Bruins by four points for the second wild card from the East and sits four points behind the New York Islanders for third in the Metropolitan Division.
Ovechkin knows the margin for error has vanished. The Capitals face a difficult path to the postseason with 26 games remaining in the regular season. “We’re going to have to win almost every game to make the playoffs,” Ovechkin told NHL.com. “We’re still in a battle.”
The Russian superstar continues to defy Father Time with 48 points through 59 games this season, including 22 goals and 26 assists. For someone who turned 40 just a couple of months ago, that pace has been dizzying.
But so far, Ovi is pulling his weight in his 21st NHL season.
Ovechkin currently has 448 home goals at Capital One Arena, tied with Howe for second place in NHL history. Wayne Gretzky holds the record with 492 home goals scored across his legendary career. Philadelphia arrives in Washington on a 3-4-3 slide over their last 10 games.
The Flyers sit at 25-20-11 with 61 points, four points behind the Capitals in the Metropolitan Division standings. The struggling form has raised questions about whether Philadelphia will pivot to selling at the NHL Trade Deadline on March 6 at 3 p.m. ET.
Several pending free agents could become available if the Flyers fall further out of playoff contention. Ovechkin already passed Gretzky for the all-time NHL career goals record in April 2025, scoring his 895th goal against the New York Islanders.
But while Ovi has been putting up the numbers, the Capitals have been coming up short in several key games. Tonight’s game can be the turning point for Washington as it looks to push past the Flyers. The race for the final playoff spot remains as tight as ever, and if Ovechkin wants to make the postseason once again, tonight’s game is a must-win.
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