Alex Ovechkin took to the ice once again on Saturday during the Ovi Cup gala match in Moscow, Russia, sharing the spotlight with his eldest son, Sergei Ovechkin, who scored four goals. Ovechkin himself contributed a goal in the friendly game, showcasing that his competitive fire remains strong as he prepares for the upcoming <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/hockey/nhl/”>NHL season. The Washington Capitals captain spoke openly about his goals for the 2025-26 campaign, emphasizing that his priority is winning the Stanley Cup with his team.
The Quest for Another Stanley Cup
Ovechkin has made it clear in past interviews that securing another Stanley Cup championship is the ultimate objective in the final stages of his NHL career. During a 2022 conversation with Russian outlet Match TV, he ranked winning the Cup higher than surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal-scoring record, even though he achieved that milestone earlier this year. On April 6, Ovechkin scored his 895th career goal, breaking Gretzky’s longstanding record and marking a major individual achievement.
For the rest of my career, my goal is to win the Stanley Cup again,
Ovechkin said.
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.
With the individual milestone behind him, Ovechkin’s remaining motivation centers on returning to the Stanley Cup Final and bringing the championship back to Washington.
Recent Playoff Performance and Preparation for the Future
Ovechkin led the Capitals to their 2018 Stanley Cup victory, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP after recording 27 points (15 goals, 12 assists) in 24 postseason games. However, since then, the team has only advanced past the first playoff round once, eliminating the Montreal Canadiens this past spring. Despite this, the Capitals finished first in the Eastern Conference last season, positioning them as strong contenders in the Metropolitan Division for 2025-26. Ovechkin is already preparing for training camp later this year, eager to enter his 21st NHL season with optimism.
Everything is fine, we are preparing with a positive attitude and a good mood,
Ovechkin stated.
The Final Season Outlook and Ovechkin’s Future
The upcoming 2025-26 season will be the last year of Ovechkin’s current contract with Washington Capitals. He has indicated that he plans to complete the season before making decisions about his career going forward. As one of the league’s most iconic players, Ovechkin’s commitment to chasing the Stanley Cup adds intensity and hope for Capitals fans, who expect the team to be among the top contenders in the coming year. His dedication to achieving this key goal underlines a meaningful final chapter in an extraordinary NHL tenure.