A changing lineup in D.C.
The Washington Capitals are adjusting their offense to create more balance, and Ovechkin has taken on the task of playing on both power-play setups. This marks a shift for the veteran, who typically sticks to one unit in most seasons.
'At first, it was me, John Carlson, Dylan Strome, and others — we didn’t have a right-hander,' Ovechkin said in an interview with FONBET. With the Capitals lacking a strong right-handed option, he stepped in to help out.
Statistics show Ovechkin’s power-play impact
Ovechkin was on the ice for 91.6% of Washington’s power-play time last year. He topped the league in power-play minutes with 367:51 over 82 games. He recorded five goals and 14 assists for 19 points, though the team’s unit struggled with a 17.8% success rate.
Despite the group’s lack of production, the Capitals still expect Ovechkin to play an important role. The team added Kyrou and Tuch, and new stars like Leonard, Protas, and Hutson are coming up fast. But his exact position for the 2026-27 season is not clear yet.
Future in question, but trust remains
Ovechkin hasn’t yet spoken with general manager Brian Bennett about how things might shape up. We’ll see how it goes,' he said.
Head coach Spencer Carbery still sees Ovechkin as a key part of the plan. 'He can still defy expectations and be a productive, strong NHL player for the Capitals. He can help us win a lot of games,' Carbery stated. 'That’s how I see it playing out.'
Carbery added that Ovechkin should continue to lead the team as it aims to build a winning, playoff-ready unit and help young players develop their game.