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Alex Ovechkin Sends Strong Message on Future After Capitals Loss to Hurricanes

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Emily Bicks | Last updated May 16, 2025 12:00 AM ET

The Washington Capitals needed to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 5 in order to keep their season alive on May 15. However, Washington couldn't get it done on Thursday night.

While the Capitals briefly took the lead in the second period, Matt Roy’s goal was rescinded due to an offsides call on Connor McMichael, and the score remained 1-1 entering the third period.

Carolina ultimately pulled ahead with 1:59 remaining in regulation and hit an empty netter to bring the final score to 3-1. The Canes advance to their third Eastern Conference Final in seven years under Rod Brind’Amour, where they'll face either the Toronto Maple Leafs or Florida Panthers.

As for the Capitals, they haven't made it past the Second Round since 2018, the year they won the Stanley Cup.

Considering Washington finished the regular season as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, fans expected more from the team. In 16 playoff appearances, Ovechkin and Co. have advanced past the Second Round once.

It's difficult to criticize Ovechkin, who overcame a broken leg to reach hockey immortality and break Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record during the regular season, however, his age seemed to catch up to him against Carolina.

After scoring his highest goals per-game in a season since 2010, the 39-year-old score just one goal during this series. While some fans called for Ovechkin to hang it up, the left wing sent a strong message about the elimination and his future with the team after the game.

Alex Ovechkin on the Caps Game 5 loss to Carolina and elimination from the playoffs@Gio_Delfa @JPFinlayNBCS #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/wZ2n4y78RJ
— NBC4 Sports (@NBC4Sports) May 16, 2025

"It's tough obviously," he said, "It's a special group... Luck was not our side. I don't think we played bad hockey. We had lots of chances to get the lead, but ya know, we didn't.

"It's tough, but the experience we have this year will help for our future, 100%."

Ovechkin, who's heading into the last season of a five-year, $47.5 million contract at the start of the 2025-26 campaign, already confirmed he's returning to play next year.

"I'm not retiring," he told Pat McAfee last month. "I have one more year, and we’ll see what’s gonna happen. I love being around the boys, and as long as I can, I will try to stick around and put my great body in the NHL."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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