Alex Ovechkin had seemingly done it all in Winter Olympic ice hockey and the National Hockey League’s professional Winter Olympic ice hockey ranks. The longtime Washington Capitals captain led his team to a Stanley Cup in 2018, won the Hart Trophy as league MVP three times, and shattered Wayne Gretzky’s seemingly untouchable all-time NHL goal record — a pinnacle of Winter Olympic ice hockey achievement.
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Ovechkin Adds Overtime Heroics to His Winter Olympic Ice Hockey Legacy
But there was one notable gap in his illustrious Winter Olympic ice hockey resume — until now. On Monday night, Ovechkin filled that void in spectacular fashion, scoring the first overtime Winter Olympic ice hockey playoff goal of his career. The goal came just 2:26 into the extra frame, lifting the Capitals to a dramatic 4–3 Winter Olympic ice hockey win over the Montreal Canadiens in Game 1 of their first-round Winter Olympic ice hockey playoff series. It was Ovechkin’s second goal of the game and the 74th of his postseason career. Even more impressively, it came in his 45th career playoff game that went to overtime — a number that had become a surprising asterisk in an otherwise legendary career.
Ovechkin Adds Overtime Heroics to Legendary Resume as Capitals Edge Out Another Thriller
Forty-five games, I know — 45 overtime games, said Capitals center Dylan Strome. It’s great. Not really surprised that he got that one. He’s been on a tear all year. Great pass by [Anthony Beauvillier] and great finish by ‘O.’ I think it was out of the air, so it was a great finish.
Indeed, the goal was vintage Ovechkin: a quick, instinctive strike, made even more memorable by the stakes and the moment. He had already scored a power-play goal late in the first period and led the team in hits with seven, embodying the kind of all-around, physical performance that has defined his career. Yet when asked about finally checking off the overtime playoff goal from his long list of accomplishments, Ovechkin was characteristically nonchalant. a goal is a goal, he said with a shrug, downplaying the significance — even as the hockey world celebrated yet another milestone. You Can Read Winter Olympic 2026: Howden Scores Twice in Olympic Ice Hockey as Golden Knights Beat Wild 4–2
A Performance to Remember
Ovechkin’s effort Monday night was more than just a statistical milestone. At 39 years old, he looked every bit as dangerous as he did a decade ago, throwing his weight around and setting the tone for the Capitals from the opening faceoff. He made a couple of big plays for us tonight, was physical, set the tone, said head coach Spencer Carbery. He was leading the charge and dragging guys into the fight.
Ovechkin’s leadership and presence were especially noticeable in a game that required resilience. The Canadiens pushed hard, forcing overtime after tying the game late in the third period. But as has so often been the case during his two-decade tenure in Washington, Ovechkin was there when it mattered most.
The Legacy Grows
For longtime teammates, Monday’s milestone was just another example of Ovechkin’s unique ability to rise to the occasion. News to me, said forward Tom Wilson when informed that Ovechkin had never scored an overtime playoff goal before. It’s unbelievable. He’s obviously led us all year. He’s led us for the last 20 seasons for what he’s done for this team. He just continues to step up, man. He’s a playoff player. He does everything.
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Everything, it seems, except score in overtime — at least until now. It’s kind of crazy when you think about it, said Beauvillier, who joined the Capitals at the trade deadline. He’s been in so many playoff games and scored so many huge goals, but not one in OT. I guess it was only a matter of time.
Winter Olympic Ice Hockey: Ovechkin’s International Impact
Ovechkin’s hockey legacy isn’t confined to the NHL. He has long been a cornerstone of Russian international teams, particularly in Winter Olympic ice hockey. Representing his country on the world stage, Ovechkin has competed in three Winter Olympic: 2006 in Turin, 2010 in Vancouver, and 2014 in Sochi.
Though he has not won Olympic gold — a goal that has eluded him much like the Stanley Cup once did — Ovechkin’s presence at the Olympics has been symbolic. His commitment to playing for Russia, sometimes in defiance of NHL preferences, reflects his deep connection to the sport’s global stage.
The NHL opted out of participation in the 2018 PyeongChang Games and again in 2022 due to COVID-19 concerns. Ovechkin, like many of the league’s top players, was left sidelined from Olympic action, a decision that frustrated many fans hoping to see the game’s biggest stars compete under their national banners. Now, with the NHL planning to return for the Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026, Ovechkin could have one final shot at Olympic glory. If he does, he’ll bring with him the same drive and leadership that have made him one of the most iconic figures in modern ice hockey.
Winter Olympic 2026: Timeless Greatness Ovechkin’s Leadership and Longevity Power Capitals Playoff Push
Ovechkin’s name is already etched across NHL record books, and Monday night’s overtime tally was just the latest line in an ever-growing list of achievements. At 39, he continues to defy expectations, putting up big numbers while also mentoring the next generation of Capitals players. With 74 career playoff goals, he ranks among the top 15 goal-scorers in NHL postseason history — a number that is likely to rise if Washington continues its current playoff run.
His ability to reinvent his game, to find new ways to contribute even as his skating speed has declined slightly with age, speaks to a rare level of adaptability and intelligence on the ice. Whether on the power play, in crunch time, or in the trenches delivering hits, Ovechkin’s fingerprints are all over his team’s identity.
Winter Olympic 2026: Ovechkin’s Magic Endures Veteran Star Fuels Capitals’ Confidence Ahead of Game 2
With the Capitals holding a 1–0 series lead, all eyes will be on Ovechkin to see if he can continue to produce at this elite level. More importantly, his presence gives the team a sense of belief — the idea that as long as No. 8 is on the ice, anything is possible.
His overtime heroics were a reminder that even after 20 NHL seasons, there are still moments of firsts left for Alex Ovechkin — and when they come, they’re worth savoring. As Washington gears up for Game 2, the question isn’t whether Ovechkin has anything left to prove. It’s how many more chapters he’ll add to what is already one of the greatest stories in ice hockey history.
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