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Alexander Ovetchkin has played 22 seasons in the NHL and is the league's all-time leading scorer with 929 goals. He announced on Monday that this season will be his last.
Alexander Ovetchkin is the NHL's all-time leading scorer with 929 goals.
The 41-year-old has stepped onto the NHL ice over 1,500 times, but when he began his 22nd season in the NHL last night, it wasn't in just any game.
The night's home opener was the Russian's last as he announced on Monday that this season will be his last in the NHL.
- I love this sport so much, but I know in my heart that it is the right decision, Ovetchkin said then.
The sons introduced the captain
The wildly popular team captain was introduced onto the ice by his sons and heard the home crowd chant his name.
- That my children introduced me to the audience was special, says Ovetchkin to Washington's website.
Ovetchkin was a winner in his last home opener after a game in which Canadian Tom Wilson was the big winner with two assists and a goal in the 5–3 victory against Pittsburgh.

Sweden's women's national football team is leaving the experiments behind and investing in clarity ahead of the decisive double meeting with Lithuania in the World Cup qualifiers.

Sweden's women's national soccer team is preparing for the WC playoff against Lithuania without several key players, including cruciate ligament-injured Johanna Rytting Kaneryd. The team is looking for revenge after a weak qualifying game where the WC place is now at stake.

Sweden's women's national team has plummeted from place one to eight in the world rankings in one year due to injuries, dropouts and generational change. Ahead of the WC playoff against Lithuania, confederation captain Tony Gustavsson says that the focus is on qualifying for the WC, not on ranking points. The team has lost seven places since the WC bronze in 2023 and is without several key players such as Kosovare Asllani, Magdalena Eriksson and Linda Sembrant. Gustavsson emphasizes the need for continuity and clarity after a period of extensive changes.

Sweden's women's national team gathered after a four-month break before the playoff against Lithuania to secure a World Cup ticket in 2027. Several key players are missing, including Fridolina Rolfö (pregnant) and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (cruciate ligament injury), while Nathalie Björn is back after a nine-month injury absence. Confederation captain Tony Gustavsson admits that too many changes in a short time have affected the performances.

Uefa has launched a disciplinary investigation following allegations of a spat in the players' tunnel during the Nations League clash between Israel and Ireland. The matches have been marred by political tensions, missed handshakes and accusations of racism.

Sweden won away to Romania 1–0 in the Nations League and kept a clean sheet for the first time in 19 attempts. Despite injuries and illness, national team captain Graham Potter has created a stable team with width and mental strength. Viktor Gyökeres scored the goal of the game in the 13th minute and has now scored in four straight games.