The Pittsburgh Penguins showed respect to Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin on Saturday.
In what could be his possible final game in Pittsburgh, Ovechkin drew loud applause and a standing ovation from the fans inside the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa.
For over two decades, Ovechkin has been the face of one of Pittsburgh’s biggest NHL rivals, but Pittsburgh fans set that on-ice hostility aside to acknowledge the greatness of the most prolific goal scorer in the history of the league.
“Ovi, thank you for 21 years of the greatest rivalry in hockey. It has been a pleasure,” the Penguins’ PA announcer said before seemingly trying to urge Ovechkin to run it back with the Capitals for at least one more season.
“And if you want, we’re ready to go for 22,” added the announcer.
All the respect for #8 🤝 pic.twitter.com/UjT1Jsxu4P
— x – Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 11, 2026
The three-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner is playing in the final year of his current contract, as his future with the Capitals and in the NHL remains up in the air. Ovechkin has already said that he will decide on his NHL future in the summer, so there is a real possibility that Saturday’s game was the last time Pittsburgh hosted him, as the Capitals could miss the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
As for the game, Ovechkin and the Caps beat Pittsburgh, 6-3, with Ovechkin scoring a goal in the third period — his 32nd of the season and 929th of his NHL career.
