Alex Ovechkin returned to the ice rested and focused after a break spent with family and friends in Dubai, and will lead the Washington Capitals into a crucial matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers tonight at 7 p.m. ET (MNMT, NBCSP). The Capitals, currently trailing the Boston Bruins by four points for the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference and the New York Islanders by four for third in the Metropolitan Division, face a demanding schedule as they push for a playoff berth.
“We’re going to have to win almost every game to make the playoffs,” Ovechkin told NHL.com. “We’re still in a battle.”
At 40 years old, Ovechkin remains a significant offensive threat, having accumulated 48 points (22 goals, 26 assists) in 59 games this season. He is one goal shy of surpassing Gordie Howe’s 449 for the second-most home goals in NHL history, trailing only Wayne Gretzky’s 492, according to NHL records.
The Flyers (25-20-11) arrive in Washington on a 3-4-3 stretch and are potentially poised to become sellers before the NHL Trade Deadline on March 6 at 3 p.m. ET. Philadelphia has struggled recently, and the team’s direction remains uncertain as the deadline approaches.
On February 6, 2025, Ovechkin scored his 879th NHL goal in a 4-3 victory over the Flyers in Philadelphia, demonstrating his continued ability to impact games against a key divisional rival.
Tonight’s game is one of several scheduled across the NHL, including Buffalo at New Jersey, Toronto at Tampa Bay, Seattle at Dallas, Colorado at Utah, Winnipeg at Vancouver, Vegas at Los Angeles, and Edmonton at Anaheim.
