Mar 27, 2025; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) and Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) shake hands after the game at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

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Ovechkin Puts Rivalry Aside to Honor Andre Fleury in Classy Farewell Moment

Despite staying at 889 career goals, Ovechkin made sure to recognize Marc-Andre Fleury’s legendary career in a heartfelt postgame tribute.

Alex Ovechkin didn’t find the back of the net on Thursday night, but he delivered a moment that had nothing to do with goals or records. After Washington’s 4-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild, Ovechkin made sure the night wasn’t just about the scoreboard. He hustled toward the tunnel and waved his teammates back onto the ice. It wasn’t for a celebration but for a handshake, one final tribute to Marc-Andre Fleury, who is likely playing his last NHL season.

Fleury didn’t even play that night, watching from the bench as Filip Gustavsson handled goaltending duties. But that didn’t matter to Ovechkin. Earlier in the day, he had mentioned to his teammates that this could be their last chance to share the ice with Fleury, as he had been one of Ovechkin’s biggest rivals for years. They met time and time again, with Fleury stopping him in the playoffs in 2009, 2016, and 2017, each time, Fleury’s team went on to win the Stanley Cup. But in 2018, Ovechkin finally got the better of him, leading the Capitals to victory over Fleury’s Vegas Golden Knights for his long-awaited championship.

Alex Ovechkin: Class recognizes class 👏🏻🫡 pic.twitter.com/m43mZ25bBD
— RG (@TheRGMedia) March 28, 2025

Their history was filled with battles, but it was also built on respect. Ovechkin had scored more goals (28) against Fleury than against any other goaltender. Meanwhile, Fleury had beaten Washington 28 times, one of the highest win totals for any goalie against the Capitals. They had tested each other for nearly two decades, and on this night, Ovechkin wasn’t going to let the moment slip away.

While Ovechkin was focused on honoring Fleury, the Wild were focused on stopping him. They smothered him defensively, blocking five of his shot attempts and forcing him into tough angles. Gustavsson made three key saves against him, denying him another step toward Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record. Ovechkin remains stuck at 889, still six goals away from history.

His next opportunity comes Sunday when the Capitals face Buffalo. If he stays on pace, he could break the record in Pittsburgh on April 17, on the same ice where Fleury once stood between him and glory. But for one night in Minnesota, the chase took a backseat to something bigger: honoring a rival, a champion, and a friend.

Image Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Alex Ovechkin

Andre Fleury

Minnesota Wild

NHL

Washington Capitals

Anamika Shrivastava

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I’ve always loved writing and storytelling, and hockey gives me a perfect stage for endless stories to tell. Whether it’s breaking down a game, analyzing a big trade, or capturing the emotions on the ice, I bring the NHL to life through words. So what’s the best part you ask? Watching the action unfold and turning it into something fans can connect with. To my readers: Hockey is more than just a game—it’s the highs, the heartbreaks, and the moments that make us jump off our seats. So, keep cheering, keep debating, and never stop loving the madness of the sport!