Alex Ovechkin’s relentless drive ignites Capitals’ playoff hopes

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Apr 22, 2025, 14:11 IST

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Alexander Ovechkin guides the Washington Capitals into the playoffs. He aims for another Stanley Cup victory. Ovechkin had a strong season, breaking records. The Capitals finished as Eastern Conference leaders. The team shows depth with key players ready. Washington faces Montreal in the first round. Ovechkin's experience is a major asset. Fans in D.C.

Alex Ovechkin’s relentless drive ignites Capitals’ playoff hopes

Credit: Getty Image

Alex Ovechkin isn’t chasing numbers this year. He’s chasing the Cup. After last season’s first-round sweep, the Capitals' captain went back to work. His offseason in Russia was intense. It wasn’t about headlines. It was about getting better. He came into this season stronger, sharper, and fully focused.
The result? A career-defining year. Ovechkin scored 44 goals in 65 games and passed Wayne Gretzky for the all-time goals record. He added 29 assists for 73 points. All while missing 16 games due to a broken leg. But none of that matters to him right now. His eyes are on the playoffs.

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Washington finished the season with a 51-22-9 record. A major leap from last year. Ovechkin’s mindset set the tone early. His focus on winning shaped the locker room. The team responded. Young players found confidence. Veterans rediscovered their form. Everyone stepped up.

An Inside Look at the Captain’s Mindset

Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals deflects a shot

Credit: Getty Image

This year’s squad is deeper and tougher. Rookie Ryan Leonard has shown flashes of playoff grit. Lars Eller brings experience and calm to the third line. In net, Logan Thompson offers steady play, if healthy, he can be the difference.
Washington’s offense clicks with Ovechkin leading. But it’s their full lineup that makes them dangerous. The defense has tightened. The lines are balanced. And the team is hungry.
Read more: The Toronto Maple Leafs shift gears: Defensive grit, new mindset fuel playoff hopes

Playoff stage set for legacy push

The Capitals open the playoffs against Montreal. Ovechkin has 72 playoff goals, more than any active player. His experience in big moments gives Washington an edge. This could be his best chance to win another Cup.
He’s been here before. In 2018, he led Washington to its first Stanley Cup. Now, at 39, he wants one more. His preparation, leadership, and on-ice fire show he isn’t done. Not even close.
Washington fans have seen him lift this team time and again. This season, he's done it while rewriting history. Now comes the hard part, the playoffs. But with Ovechkin leading the charge and key players ready to deliver, hope runs high in D.C.
This could be the year the Capitals do it again. And if they do, it’ll be because their captain never stopped believing.

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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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