Capitals Top Penguins 5-3 in Alex Ovechkin's Final Home Opener in Washington
Ovechkin starts his 22nd NHL season with 929 career goals and 11 shy of passing Wayne Gretzky for the combined scoring record.
- The Washington Capitals defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-3 on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, in Alex Ovechkin's final home opener at Capital One Arena.
- Ovechkin announced Monday his 2026-27 season will be his last, marking the 22nd straight year he and Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby have faced each other in the NHL.
- Tom Wilson recorded a goal and two assists in the victory, while NHL all-time leading goal scorer Ovechkin entered the season with 929 career goals.
- Ryan Leonard scored a power-play goal in the third period, giving Washington a cushion as the Capitals held off the Penguins' late rally to secure the win.
- Washington hosts the New York Rangers on Friday, continuing a stretch where the team plays 11 of its next 13 games at home during Ovechkin's farewell season.
12 Articles
12 Articles
abc 7 WJLA
WBFFCapitals face Penguins in home opener as Alex Ovechkin begins his final NHL season
WJLA is the local ABC affiliate for the greater Washington DC area. From our studios in Arlington, VA ABC7 covers national and local news, sports, weather, traffic and culture and carries entertainment and sports programming. WJLA serves Alexandria, Springfield, Annandale, Tysons, Reston, Ashburn, Centreville and Manassas, Virginia and Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Wheaton, Beltsville, Greenbelt, Bowie, College Park, Largo, Crofton, Annapolis, Hyattsville and Takoma Park, Maryland, and all the communities in between.
Capitals' home opener draws even more significance after Alex Ovechkin's retirement announcement
Wednesday's opener already had plenty of juice with the rival Pittsburgh Penguins descending on the District for one of two times this season. However, captain Alex Ovechkin's announcement Monday that this season is his last in the NHL has altered the aura around the Capitals' schedule.
Alex Ovechkin's First Pre-Game Warmup of the Last Dance
The Washington Capitals hosted the Pittsburgh Penguins for their home-opening game on Wednesday at Capitals One Arena. After Alex Ovechkin announced Monday that this will be his final season in the NHL, naturally, fans were excited and spirits were high before the puck dropped.
Capitals vs. Penguins live updates: Alex Ovechkin faces Sidney Crosby in final home opener
Game information/links Game preview History is upon us. For the first time since announcing his pending retirement, Alex Ovechkin will play in a game, and it’s one that will go down in history. Tonight marks Ovechkin’s final home opener at Capital One Arena, and he’ll take on a familiar foe: longtime rival and Pittsburgh Penguins
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
