Alex Ovechkin is doing it all for the Washington Capitals in their first-round series against the Montreal Canadiens.
Ovechkin recorded three points (2g, 1a) in the team’s two wins on home ice to start the series, including scoring the overtime game-winning goal in Game 1. While his offense jumps out more on the statsheet, the 39-year-old winger is also pacing the team in physicality, doling out 15 hits in two games.
“Yeah, he’s a machine,” Tom Wilson said Friday. “He brings a ton of energy to our team. That’s who he is on and off the ice. Just a high-energy guy. His whole career, he’s done everything. Score goals, hit, whatever it takes to win. They don’t make them like him anymore. He’s one of a kind, and we’re lucky to have him on our side.”
Ovechkin’s 15 hits lead all players on the Capitals and Canadiens and see him rank ninth in the postseason overall. He is the only player in the top 10 who has yet to play a third game in the first round.
Leading hitters in 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs
| Player | GP | Hits |
|---|---|---|
| Marcus Foligno (MIN) | 3 | 27 |
| Jake Neighbours (STL) | 3 | 21 |
| Luke Schenn (WPG) | 3 | 18 |
| Tim Stützle (OTT) | 3 | 18 |
| Ivan Barbashev (VGK) | 3 | 18 |
| Nathan Walker (STL) | 3 | 17 |
| Dylan Cozens (OTT) | 3 | 16 |
| Brayden Schenn (STL) | 3 | 16 |
| Alex Ovechkin (WSH) | 2 | 15 |
| Brady Tkachuk (OTT) | 3 | 15 |
Ovechkin will play his third game on Friday night in Montreal. Caps head coach Spencer Carbery spoke about the duality of his captain’s game during his pre-game press conference, addressing how Ovechkin’s physicality sets the tone for the rest of the lineup.
“Yeah, he’s been leading the charge not only offensively with the game that he had in Game 1,” Carbery said. “I thought he was strong again in Game 2. But from a competitiveness, physicality standpoint, 39 years old, leading the charge, our captain, and he sets the example this time of year.
“You can tell by his play how much the playoffs and winning mean to him this time of year and where he’s at in his career. So it’s been impressive, and to be honest with you, we’ve needed it.”
While a player hitting more than others can sometimes mean their team doesn’t have the puck on most of their shifts, that’s not the case for Ovechkin and the Capitals. During his five-on-five minutes, the Caps have seen 52.3 percent of shot attempts, 55 percent of expected goals, 64.2 percent of scoring chances, and 80.1 percent of high-danger chances.
Ovechkin himself recorded six shots on goal, 15 individual shot attempts, three individual scoring chances, and two individual high-danger chances in the Capitals’ two wins at Capital One Arena. The team’s top line, comprised of Ovechkin, Dylan Strome, and Anthony Beauvillier, combined for 10 points (4g, 6a) and scored both game-winning goals.
The Capitals will now enter a very hostile environment at Montreal’s Bell Centre, but Ovechkin is no stranger to producing on the road against the Habs. In 28 career road games at the Canadiens’ famous home arena, Ovechkin has posted 32 points (16g, 16a).
In the three road playoff games he played there in 2010, Ovechkin recorded four points (3g, 1a). He also threw nine hits in those three games.
Puck drop for Game 3 is set for 7:00 pm. If the Capitals can win a third straight, they’ll head into Sunday’s Game 4 with a chance to clinch the series.
