"Yeah it's pretty special moment [for him]," Ovechkin said of Miroshnichenko, adding, "I was drafted when he was one — Jesus I'm old. But you know, he watching us on TV, and it's kind of a dream come true."

WASHINGTON — Alex Ovechkin and Ivan Miroshnichenko sit side by side in the Washington Capitals locker room following a preseason 4-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings, wearing big smiles as Ovechkin plays the role of translator for the young Russian as he ponders one of the best nights of his life.

Miroshnichenko got his first taste of NHL action, and though it was only preseason, the nerves, the adrenaline that comes with putting on an NHL sweater for the first time, was evident.

Then, 20 minutes passed, things calmed down, and the 19-year-old got into the rhythm of what he was told to do going in: "compete your butt off."

He did just that, putting up a multi-point game and piling on the pressure and physicality that impressed not only Ovechkin but the Capitals as a whole. 

"Two assists, have pretty good chances," Ovechkin said, then asked Miroshnichenko to reflect before adding, "First period was emotional for him. But second one and third, I think he kinda realized what's happening, and I think he have a good game."

Skating on the first line with Ovechkin and Backstrom, Miroshnichenko had three shots and a team-leading three hits in addition to his two helpers through 16:23 minutes of ice time.

"It's great to see the [younger players] coming up, ready for camp. I think for them, it's very important to get that experience to play with me, Osh, Backy. It's a good lesson... kind of a little step forward," Ovechkin added.

Ovechkin, 38, has taken Miroshnichenko under his wing since the Russian arrived in D.C. after terminating his KHL deal to sign his NHL entry-level contract early. Miroshnichenko busted out onto the scene last season overseas and put up stellar numbers after beating Hodgkins' Lymphoma and making his return to play.

For the Capitals captain, it's all part of being a leader, but as he told The Hockey News exclusively, he enjoys paying it forward as he's reminded of his early days and difficulty adjusting to life overseas.

"I was in the same position when the boys helped me out in my first year, and I will never forget [that]," Ovechkin said. "I hope one they gonna be old and young guys gonna come here, they gonna help them out as well."

For Miroshnichenko, having Ovechkin around has not only been a massive help considering the language barrier and time it takes to adjust to a new country, but it's held a lot of personal significance, especially as he got the chance to take the ice alongside the player he idolized growing up.

"Yeah it's pretty special moment [for him]," Ovechkin translated, adding, "I was drafted when he was one — Jesus I'm old. But you know, he watching us on TV, and it's kind of a dream come true."