Watch: Crosby, Ovechkin trade goals in final meeting of season

Washington Capitals left winger Alex Ovechkin (8) acknowledges the crowd as a video tribute of his career is played by the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Watch: Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin trade goals in final meeting of season

By Austen Bundy | Last updated Apr 17, 2025 9:42 PM ET

Hockey fans will never tire of the sight of two classic rivals battling it out on the ice. Particularly, a pair that's been doing it for the last 20 years.

Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby met for the 98th time on Thursday, the final game of the regular season for both the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins.

It was only appropriate that each player, both seemingly destined for the Hockey Hall of Fame, would score.

Crosby buried a second period shot from a tough angle against goaltender Clay Stevenson, who was making his NHL debut for Washington, to extend the Penguins' lead to 3-1.

Forever impressed by #87. pic.twitter.com/hOzWLE7ORE
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 18, 2025

It marked Crosby's 90th point of the season, making him the sixth player in NHL history to record as many after turning 37.

Roughly five minutes later in the period, Ovechkin answered his long-time rival with a classic slap shot from the top of the left face off circle, dubbed his "office."

The power play tally pulled Washington to within 3-2 and was his 897th career goal, the most in NHL history.

THREE AWAY FROM 900#ALLCAPS | @BlueHalo pic.twitter.com/kE0aiwmjOk
— z - Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 18, 2025

Ovechkin is now three goals from being the first player ever to record 900 in a career.

His 44th red light turned on this season is good for third across the league, even after he missed 16 games with a broken leg earlier in the campaign.

Thursday's contest won't be the last in the iconic rivalry as Ovechkin committed to playing in 2024-25, the final year of his deal with Washington, and Crosby is still attached to Pittsburgh through the 2026-27 season.

Austen Bundy

Austen Bundy is a journalist and sports junkie from the Washington, D. C. area

More must-reads: