Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin told reporters in Moscow Monday that he was “happy” that Russian national teammate Evgeni Malkin won the Stanley Cup for a third time.
Sunday night, the Pittsburgh Penguins became the first back-to-back champions since 1998 after defeating the Predators four games to two. The Penguins, while on their way to the final, defeated the Capitals for a second straight year.
“I am just happy for him,” Ovechkin said to TASS as translated by Igor Kleyner. “I haven’t had a chance to congratulate him – there is a time zone difference, and they were probably celebrating. It’s nice when Russians win trophies.”
Ovechkin, who suffered a knee and hamstring injuries in the playoffs, was unable to play in the 2017 World Championship. He updated reporters on his progress.
“I am feeling much better now than I did when I missed the Worlds,” Ovechkin said. “Some injures heal faster, other ones slower. We’ll see how recovery goes.”
Malkin led the 2017 postseason in points (28). Malkin celebrated the Stanley Cup victory by taking a selfie with his teammates on the ice.
Malkin also posted a picture holding up his fiancee, Russian television personality Anna Kasterova. “The Main Cup)))),” Malkin wrote.
Meanwhile, Ovechkin was in Sokolniki Park Monday for Russia Day celebrations.
Translations by Igor Kleyner.
Headline photo: @markdrizzle13/Justin K. Aller
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