Overview
- Ovechkin told NHL.com he has not made a decision on retirement or a return and will choose after the regular season ends.
- His five-year contract signed in 2021 expires at season’s end, setting up talks with owner Ted Leonsis and GM Chris Patrick.
- Washington enters play at 29-23-7 and roughly four points out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot, with Ovechkin saying they may need to win almost every game to qualify.
- He has 48 points in 59 games and acknowledged a need to elevate his play after managing only two goals over the 13 games before the Olympic break.
- Ovechkin sits on 919 regular-season goals; The Sporting News counts 996 including playoffs, placing him about four shy of 1,000 on that combined tally.