The Capitals captain will make the decision on whether or not to retire in the offseason.
If it really was Alex Ovechkin's last NHL game, he didn't necessarily act like it — nor was he ever going to.
Hundreds of Washington Capitals fans made it to their feet as the final horn sounded at Nationwide Arena on Tuesday, drowning out the buzzer as they pleaded for Ovechkin to play "one more year."
The 40-year-old didn't dwell or linger on the ice, though, and instead, offered a polite clap and salute as he skated off the ice and went down the tunnel without a second glance.
"How I said, I don't know what's gonna happen," Ovechkin said "The fans who came here from D.C. and from different spots to watch the game, it was very nice, you know? I could hear them cheering for me and screaming, 'One more year.' It's important, shows lots of respect."
Ovechkin played 18:24 minutes in Tuesday's 2-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets, who he made his NHL debut against 21 years ago and scored his first career goals against.
On Tuesday, Ovechkin helped set up the game-winning goal on the power play and had a team-leading four blocks and 12 total shot attempts, along with two hits.
Now, he'll will take the time to ponder his next steps as he takes the offseason to decide whether or not to retire or return for another go at the NHL level.
Ovechkin will have his routine exit interview this week, and then speak with the coaching staff and management while also consulting his family and friends and taking the time to reflect thimself on what he wants.
Though he's been tight-lipped about the future, he did hint, when asked how it was to pick up the game-winning assist in what was potentially his final NHL appearance, that he's still hungry.
"It's pretty cool. We try to win we try to finish the season on a good note, and I hope it’s not my last game," Ovechkin said. "I don't know, how I said, what’s gonna happen. So, we’ll see.”
That said, there's no guarantees going forward, but one thing Ovechkin is certain of is how D.C. has become home.
Now, whether it'll be home for one more go? We'll have to wait and see.