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As the Carolina Hurricanes prepare to host the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night at Lenovo Center, winger Andrei Svechnikov is eagerly anticipating another matchup against Alexander Ovechkin, a player he considers a legend. Despite being in his ninth NHL season at age 26, with a Stanley Cup, consistent playoff appearances, and an All-Star selection to his name, Svechnikov still finds facing Ovechkin to be a special thrill.
"It's awesome," Svechnikov said in a recent interview. "Every time you get a chance to play against him, you know in your mind you're playing against a legend. He's an absolute legend."
Ovechkin has announced that this will be his final NHL season, making Tuesday's game his last scheduled appearance in Raleigh unless the two teams meet in the 2027 Stanley Cup playoffs. The arena holds significance for Ovechkin, as it's where he was drafted first overall in 2004. The Capitals already defeated the Hurricanes 5-2 in Raleigh earlier this season, but Carolina has not lost since, reeling off five straight wins to improve to 5-1-1.
Ovechkin, who turned 41 in September, could have retired after last season but chose to return. He is the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer with 930 goals, having surpassed Wayne Gretzky's record. Svechnikov, who was born in Barnaul, Russia, was confident Ovechkin would come back. "Definitely, I knew he was going to be back, hundred percent," Svechnikov said. "He wants to play. He wants it badly, to add to the reach of his records as much as he can."
Svechnikov also believes Ovechkin was enticed by the Capitals' roster and wanted another shot at the Stanley Cup. "I think that was his main thing, that if the team would be good, he would stay," Svechnikov said.
Last season, Ovechkin played all 82 games, recording 32 goals and 64 points. His five power-play goals were a career low, but his one-timer from the left circle remains a threat. His average ice time was also a career-low 17:27, a slight decrease from the previous season when he scored 44 goals. This season, he is averaging 14:16 per game.
"I don't think it matters how old he's going to get," Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "He'll always be able to score. That won't leave him."
Ovechkin and Svechnikov share a well-known history. In the opening round of the 2019 playoffs, Svechnikov fought Ovechkin and the veteran got the better of him. That series proved pivotal for Carolina, as they won in seven games—their first series victory under Brind'Amour, who was in his first year as head coach. It sparked eight consecutive playoff appearances, culminating in a Stanley Cup championship last year.
"Playing against him when I was 18 or 19, that was a lot of fun," Svechnikov said. "Every opportunity you get to play against him is still lots of fun."
Svechnikov set career highs last season with 31 goals (12 on the power play) and 70 points, and has developed into a more complete 200-foot player. Known for his physical play, he is a constant presence on the ice. His goals for this season? "Winning it again," Svechnikov said. "For me, personally, having a good season. My best season was last season, and to beat that this season would make me happy, for sure."
Those aren't just words. A year ago, Svechnikov had no points in his first eight games. This season, he has four goals and three assists in seven games, including four goals in the past four games. He scored twice in a 7-2 rout of the Vancouver Canucks last week and added a goal in Sunday's 4-1 win over Philadelphia, completing a back-to-back after beating Chicago on Saturday.
"It gives you a lot of confidence," Svechnikov said of his hot start. "Just trying to play hard and play my game. Hopefully, it's going to stay that way."
Washington selected Ovechkin with the No. 1 pick in the 2004 draft, while the Pittsburgh Penguins took Evgeni Malkin second. The Hurricanes, picking fourth, drafted forward Andrew Ladd, who two years later would win a Stanley Cup with Carolina. Ovechkin will always have a connection to the Raleigh arena, even though its name has changed multiple times over the past 22 years and Tuesday's visit is his last.
Originally reported by newsobserver.