The Washington Capitals have won their last three games, and are currently 11-8-2. In the process, captain Alex Ovechkin has scored a goal in his last four games, and five of his last six.
Ovechkin, who turned 40 before the season, seems to have gotten his groove back. He just recorded his 33rd career hat trick against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night.
Though he started the season slow, Ovechkin looks to be back to classic form. He currently has 10 goals this season and 907 on his career, on pace for 39 tallies this year.
Here is a look at Ovechkin’s 2025-26 season so far.
Alex Ovechkin’s Slow Start
Early on, Ovechkin was dealing with a lower-body injury that kept him out for most of training camp and the preseason. The Great 8 had just turned 40 when he started dealing with his ailment.
It turned out to be a rough start to the year for Ovechkin. In the month of October, he only recorded two goals, both of which came off face-off wins from Dylan Strome.
Through his first 12 games, Ovechkin was struggling to get into the swing of things on the 5-on-5. He struggled to carry the puck up ice, and couldn’t capitalize on opportunities to get shots off despite getting in good position.
Ovechkin has contributed to the Capitals’ power play very well throughout his career, but this season had been a different story. Ovechkin’s shot had still been in top form, but the team’s power play struggled in general.
On the plus side, Ovechkin did contribute to the Capitals’ 6-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Nov. 5 with his third goal. That tally turned out to be the 900th of his career, as he became the first NHL player to reach that milestone. It may have taken him only 13 games into the season to get it done, but it finally happened.
Ovechkin’s Return to Form in November
Suddenly, the month of November became a different story for the 40-year-old Ovechkin. Starting on Nov. 11, it looked like The Great 8 had returned to vintage form.
Ovechkin scored career goal No. 901 in the Capitals’ 4-1 road win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Nov. 11. He also recorded an assist to finish with two points. Ovi’s tally came on an empty-netter late in the game, while he found Strome who went on a semi-breakaway to score.
Two games later, The Great 8 came through with two points in the Capitals’ 3-2 shootout loss to the New Jersey Devils. Down 2-0 in the third period, Ovechkin helped set up Connor McMichael to make it a one-goal game. Ovi then followed that up with career goal No. 902 to tie the game at 2-2.
The Capitals then started their three-game winning streak with a 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Nov. 17. Ovechkin’s 903rd goal came when he got to the front of the net and fired home a behind-the-net assist from McMichael.
The 40-year-old made history with that tally as it was his 442nd at Capital One Arena. That moved him past Gordie Howe for the most goals scored in NHL history at a single venue.
Ovechkin then moved on to goal No. 904 in the Capitals’ 7-4 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Nov. 19. The Great 8 got to the front of the net and tipped a point drive from Jakob Chychrun past Edmonton netminder Stuart Skinner.
Ovechkin’s Hat Trick Game
Finally, the Alex Ovechkin we all know and love really seemed to return this past Thursday. He recorded his 33rd career hat trick in the Capitals’ 8-4 road win over Montreal.
The Capitals went on the man advantage early on in the game, as Ovechkin scored right off the draw from Strome. It marked his first power play goal this season, as he had struggled on special teams early on.
Also in the first period, Ovechkin recorded an assist on Ethen Frank’s tally on the man advantage. Then in the third, he added two more goals, including an empty-netter, to complete the hat trick.
The Great 8 made more history as he tied Brett Hull for the fourth-most hat tricks in NHL history. He also passed Joe Sakic for the 10th-most points of all time.
What Does This Mean for the Future?
The Capitals seem to be surging back after a slump where they lost eight of 10 games. Ovechkin has been a key part of helping the team get back to contending form. Even with all the rumors that this could be the final season for the 40-year-old, his last few games show that he’s not done yet.
Harry Lichtman is an award-winning journalist who covers the Washington Capitals for Sportsnaut. He also contributes to the sites … More about Harry Lichtman