“Yeah, I think this is our last day that we can spend time with the kids, skate with them. And yeah, because tomorrow it’s game one and everything’s going to be on hockey,” said the captain before the tough session began. And it has been tough like that for the Washington Capitals throughout the season. With almost having a shaky one filled with back-to-back losses and some inconsistent performances. But hey, the Caps have at least punched their ticket to the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs despite the pressure that hasn’t remained easy on Alex Ovechkin and his teammates.
Perhaps it’s last year’s painful first-round sweep at the hands of the New York Rangers that now lingers like a bruise for Ovechkin, who has been the brightest star in the league this season. First making it to 895 and breaking the great Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record and now preparing tough for the first-round face-off against the Montreal Canadiens. And let’s say the question looming over the Caps inconsistency and many losses isn’t just about the team’s form but also how the leader has been responding so far. But how is he dealing with the playoff pressure lately?
The Capitals dropped a straight-shooting update on X: Ovechkin met with the media post-practice to talk playoff heat and Game 1 focus. No dramatics. Just business. Then Ovi stepped up with a response that wasn’t fire and fury—but something better: clarity, calm, and captain-level perspective.
One that puts the Stanley Cup ahead of his own personal glory! “I don’t think we’re too relaxing. To just spend time with the family, extra day, it’s a good thing. You can’t be focusing too much on the day before a game. Yeah, of course, like I said, we have video, we have all the different things, but you can’t forget if you have an extra hour to spend with the kids on the ice, why not? I think it’s a great thing,” the Captain responded.
Alex Ovechkin meets with the media after today’s practice about the intensity of the postseason and focusing on Game 1.#ALLCAPS | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/7MXGXrJVnE
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 20, 2025
This is a developing story. Stay tuned…
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