Ovechkin’s Last Dance In Montreal

On Monday, Washington Capitals legend Alexander Ovechkin announced that the 2026-27 season will be his last one in the NHL. After 22 years on this side of the pond, the Great 8 didn’t say he would retire, just that it would be his last year in the NHL. In other words, he’ll likely head home and spend some time in the KHL, as so many Russians do when Father Time catches up to them.

At 41, the Capitals captain isn't as productive as he once was, but he remains a legend of the game and the all-time leading goal scorer. Once, people wondered whether he could beat Wayne Gretzky’s regular-season goal total of 894, and he did in 2024-25. He could still beat Gretzky’s all-time goal-scoring record. The Canadian has 1,016 goals if you include the playoffs, whereas the Russian has 1,006. It would take a fantastic postseason for the Caps, but it’s far from impossible. When Washington won the Stanley Cup in 2017-18, he scored 15 goals in 24 games.

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As things stand, Ovechkin has 929 goals and 759 assists for 1688 points. In 22 seasons, he has faced the Montreal Canadiens 63 times, scoring 44 goals and adding 32 assists for 76 points. He's been a thorn in the Habs’ side over the years, and it’s fair to say the Sainte-Flanelle won’t miss him.

Fans may miss him, though, because he remains an impressive player to watch on the ice; who doesn’t remember his breakaway challenge at the All-Star Game in Montreal in 2009? The Tricolore will face him three times this season; the first two duels will be in Washington on October 14 and January 19, and once in Montreal on February 13, at 1:00 PM. As always on Superbowl weekend, the Bell Centre will host a couple of matinee games, and if you’ve yet to see Ovechkin play in person, this will be your very last chance to watch him take on the Habs. If your kid has never seen him play, there’s your chance.

Right now, very few tickets remain for that game, and the cheapest one is at $269. Secondary-market prices will likely rocket up. Still, Canadiens fans will no doubt salute the end of Ovechkin’s career beautifully in February, and it will be yet another marquee moment at the Bell Centre.

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