Eliminated Capitals expect Alex Ovechkin to return in ’25-26

Washington – Capitals Coach Spencer Carbery Expects Captain Alex ovechkinWho will turn 40 in September, to be back with the step for his 21st Nhl Season.

“My understanding is he’s under contrast, so he’ll be back next year,” The coach saad after the capitals’ 3-1 loss Thursday night in game 5 against the Carolina hurricaneswhich eliminated Washington from the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Ovechkin is signed through the 2025-26 season with a $ 9.5 million cap hit.

“I thinkt ‘o’ was great in playoffs,” Carbery Said. “I know this series; the stats won he be flattering.”

Ovechkin’s Regular Season Saw Him Score 44 Goals in 65 Games Wayne Gretzky’s Nhl Record with 895th Career Tally. His PostSeason Ended with a Whimper: Ovechkin Scored Just Once in Five Games Against Carolina, on A 5-in-3 Power Play in their Game 4 Loss in Raleight. Ovechkin generated 14 shots in the series. He was a minus-3 overall, including a minus-2 in the elimination game Loss to Carolina.

“Yeah, it’s Tough, Obviously,” Ovechkin saad after game 5. “We have a special group, but obviously we hawe own chances and we do not execute. We played bad hockey. “

Overall in the playoffs, ovechkin had five goals and an assist in 10 games, with all but one goal coming in Washington’s Five-Game, first-round series win Montreal Canadiens.

Carbery had high praise for the way ovechkin rebounded from his playoff performance Against the New York Rangers Last Season, when he was scoreless and had five shots on Goal as the Capitals Got Swept.

“He was upset with the way that the playoffs Went,” Carbery Said. “How did this team do so well [this season]? How did they win the east? He’s a big part of that as our Captain. The cherry on the top was that he comes in the playoffs and hits the ground run. “

Carbery cited ovechkin’s overtime goal in game 1 against the canadiens as a critical moment in the postse. But ovechkin would score only one other even even even if goal in the playoffs, and none against the hurricanes.

“He was fantastic this year, and I think he had a great playoffs. “I tip my cap to the season that he had and, as our Captain, Leading the Way.”

The capitals put up a solid effect in game 5, generating scoring chances and skating better than they had in their previous two road losses to the hurricanes. They finished with more shot attempts and scoring chances at 5-in-5 Against their opponent, but they could find a way to break a 1-1 tie in the third. Andrei svechnikov Scored with just 1:59 remaining to go the hurricanes the lead.

“They are just relentless with their press and their ability to break plays up with their sticks. Absolutely are right there, “Carbery Said. “I hate, hate, hate losing a series to them, but it is a great learning [for our team]. “

The capitals topped the eateren conference in the Regular Season with 111 Points. It was a season defined by emerging young talents such as center Aliakshei’s mindSuccessful Acquisitions Including Center Pierre-Luc Dubois and goalie Logan ThompsonAlong with ovechkin’s historic chase in which he enteredly surpassed gretzky’s nhl goals record.

“Not much left to be saaid about him,” Said His Center, Dylan strome. “It is an honor to get to play with he and see the way he competes. He’s an easy to get in line and follow.