This season, Alex Ovechkin’s first game in Pittsburgh won’t be in a Capitals uniform. Instead, he’ll be playing for Team Russia in a World Cup of Hockey pre-tournament game at CONSOL Energy Center.
Although Ovi won’t be donning Caps red, his Team Russia teammate (and Penguins center) Evgeni Malkin expects Ovi to be booed.
Malkin spoke to Sport Express about the upcoming World Cup and how he anticipates Pittsburgh fans will receive Ovechkin for the first time since the Caps’ defeat in the 2016 playoffs.
[adinserter name=”nation-ad”]When I am on the ice the fans will cheer. When it’s Ovechkin–they will boo. I actually hope that there will be a good atmosphere at that game. Ovechkin is respected in Pittsburgh, but even if the fans’ reaction is negative, it will only egg him on.
Ovechkin and Team Russia will play against Team Canada on Wednesday, September 14 at 7:30 PM. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2, SN, and TVA Sports.
Translation by Igor Kleyner.
