Alex Ovechkin confirms final regular-season NHL game will be against the Flyers in Philly
The NHL's record goal scorer with 929, Ovechkin will hang 'em up this April following his 22nd season.
The NHL’s all-time goals leader will be hanging up his skates at the end of his 22nd season.
“My family and I decided this summer that this will be my final year in the NHL,” Alex Ovechkin wrote in a statement posted by the Washington Capitals on Monday.
“I love this game so much, but I know in my heart it’s the right decision. It was important for me to make this announcement before our first home game, so I have the chance to thank all the people around the game.”
The Capitals open their home schedule Wednesday against Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins, against whom they also play their final regular-season home game on April 4. They wrap up the 2026-27 season against the Flyers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 10 at 12:30 p.m.
Ticket prices are already skyrocketing via the verified resale ticket market. Seats in the 100s range are start around $500 and go into the thousands, and sections in the 200s are going for around $400 a ticket.
» READ MORE: Flyers goalies talk about the challenge of stopping Alex Ovechkin
Fans can also see Ovechkin on April 1 in South Philly. Those tickets are much cheaper — for now.
“I’m not 20 years old,” Ovechkin told reporters Monday, the anniversary of his NHL debut, in which he scored twice against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“I want to play with my kids when they’re growing up. Play hockey, play soccer, play basketball. I want to be healthy enough to do that kind of stuff.”
The 41-year-old forward broke Wayne Gretzky’s longstanding goal record of 894 two seasons ago. Across 1,575 NHL games, he has 929 goals and 1,688 points. He also ranks first all-time in power-play goals (331), game-winning goals (141), overtime goals (27), road goals (476), game-opening goals (154), game-tying goals (155), go-ahead goals (297), 40-goal seasons (14), and 30-goal seasons (20). Ovechkin, Gretzky, and Mike Bossy are tied with nine 50-goal seasons each
A three-time Hart Trophy winner, awarded to the NHL’s MVP, and a nine-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner as the NHL’s top goal scorer, he is 11 goals shy of passing Gretzky for the most goals combined in the regular season and playoffs (1,016). Ovechkin has also killed the Flyers during his career, scoring 54 goals in 82 regular-season games, and another seven in 14 playoff contests.
According to the Associated Press, the 2018 Stanley Cup champion and Conn Smythe Trophy winner as playoff MVP has stated he will return to Russia after his career concludes.
