Alex Ovechkin made the second stop of his farewell tour on Thursday, traveling to Nashville for his final regular-season game at Bridgestone Arena.
Both Predators captain Roman Josi and Barry Trotz, who was inducted into the Predators’ Golden Hall on Thursday night, paid their respects to Ovechkin before the 4-3 Capitals win. Josi presented Ovechkin with a customized acoustic Gibson guitar adorned with both teams’ logos and “Alex Ovechkin #8” on the pick guard.
Not only does the guitar pay homage to Nashville’s country music culture, but it also gives Ovechkin a new hobby to pick up in retirement.
“Can you play?” Tom Wilson asked Ovechkin.
“Will now, eh?” someone quipped offscreen.
“I will learn,” Ovechkin replied.
As part of Trotz’ induction ceremony, Ovechkin participated in a ceremonial faceoff before the game.
The Predators later recognized Ovechkin’s career during a TV timeout, eliciting a rousing ovation from fans in attendance.
Over his 22-season NHL career, Ovechkin has played 17 times in Nashville, recording 19 points (11g, 8a). His first visit to Music City didn’t come until March 18, 2008, but he wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. He scored an empty-net goal and notching two assists in Washington’s 4-2 win.
Though he’s played relatively fewer games against the Western-Conference opponent, Ovechkin has still left an impact in the Predators’ locker room. Veteran Ryan O’Reilly, only six years older than Ovechkin, recalled watching his iconic spin-and-fall goal against the Phoenix Coyotes in an interview with radio play-by-play announcer Max Herz.
“I remember as a kid, seeing that firsthand, and was like, ‘Oh my gosh. That was just incredible,’” O’Reilly said. “But yeah, obviously, greatest goal scorer of all time. It’s been amazing watching him, and it’s sad he’s leaving the game, but incredible, what he’s done.”
O’Reilly’s fond memories of Ovechkin’s Stanley Cup celebrations — “That was pretty amazing,” he told Herz — were less well-received by teammate Jonathan Marchessault, who was on the losing Vegas Golden Knights team in 2018.
“That’s (a) bad guy, saying that’s your favorite moment (of Ovechkin’s career),” Marchessault quipped from a neighboring locker stall.
“Yeah, my favorite Alex Ovechkin moment is when he’s holding the Cup, and then Marchy’s —” O’Reilly responded before both players erupted into giggles. “Just kidding no. I think [Ovechkin’s] celebration, jumping in the fountain and all that stuff, just very Ovi. He’s a very funny guy, I feel like…He’s very entertaining, great for the game, but yeah, he’ll be missed.”
Memorable losses aside, the Predators took the chance to celebrate Ovechkin before he hangs up his skates.
“Obviously (I think of) the goals, and they sometimes overshadow some of the other things he brings,” said Predators head coach Andrew Brunette. “I think his physicality, his will to win, it kind of gets overshadowed by all the goals. You think of him in that spot, on the dot or the top of the circles, with his one-timers, but I think the other things kind of get lost. He’s hard to handle physically. He’s way faster than people think. I know he’s slowing down in old age, but he could take over games with those things.
“The game’s going to miss him. I won’t miss coaching against him, but the game will miss him. I think he’s been an ambassador of the game for a long time. Hockey’s going to feel weird when he’s gone.”
