Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin and Minnesota Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury are long-time rivals, but that was put aside on Thursday night.
While Ovechkin failed to bridge the gap between him and Wayne Gretzky for the NHL’s goal record, and Fleury didn’t suit up, that did not stop Ovechkin from showing his respect following their last-ever meeting.
After the final horn of a 4-2 Wild win, Ovechkin stopped his teammates from walking back to the visitors’ locker room. Instead, he called them back out onto the ice, where they proceeded to embrace Fleury one last time.
After 21 years and 573 regular-season wins, Fleury will retire at the end of the year. It will bring a close to a legendary career and a 20-year rivalry with Ovechkin.
“We wanted to do that,” Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said, via NHL.com. “‘O’ had mentioned that this morning of [being] the last time going up against Marc-Andre and just paying the respects he deserves on the impressive career. He’s done so much. They’ve had so many battles. He’s had so many battles with the Caps, with O.
“So, pretty classy to be able to send him off and just say how impressive a career he had.”
It was meaningful for both individuals and both teams. The battles between Ovechkin and Fleury are the stuff of legend.
Fleury has recorded a 28-14-3 record against the Capitals, while Ovechkin has scored 28 goals against Fleury.
“It’s almost 20 years that we play against each other,” Ovechkin said. “Pittsburgh, Vegas, it’s been an honor to play against him.”
The morning after the two embraced for the final time, Fleury’s wife, Veronique Larosee, shared her reaction.
It was a great moment for the NHL, a great moment for the sport of hockey, and a great moment for two genuine legends.
