We don’t know whether this will be Alex Ovechkin’s final season as a Washington Capital or not, but there’s never a bad time to reflect back on two decades of being treated to this amazing talent. So each game day throughout the 2025-26 season, we’re going to be picking an Ovechkin moment to remember against that day’s opponent!
One of Many, Many More – October 5, 2005
20 years and 898 goals ago, Alex Ovechkin was a fresh-faced 20-year-old set to make his NHL debut against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Caps fans – and the rest of the league – had to wait a year to see the kid the Caps drafted first overall back in the summer of 2004…and the big man did not disappoint.
On his very first shift, Ovechkin threw a massive hit behind the Columbus net, sending Radislav Suchy into the boards and toppling one of the stanchions holding the plexiglass. It was a moment that foreshadowed the physical play that has defined his career almost as much as the goals, an introduction to the NHL like no other.
But then the real Ovechkin stuff took over, as #8 potted not one but two goals in his debut, helping the Capitals to a 3-2 victory in their season opener.
You can relive the whole “Welcome to the NHL” moment for Ovechkin here:
Seems like just yesterday, doesn’t it?