Capitals Coach's Blunt Take on Alex Ovechkin's Possible Retirement
The defeat ended a strong season that saw Washington top the Eastern Conference with 111 points, led by a strong combination of veterans and a new wave of young players.
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Hurricanes forward Andrei Svechnikov scored the game-winner with 1:59 left in regulation after receiving a pass from Sean Walker on a rush play.
Capitals goalie Logan Thompson said he lost sight of the puck before Svechnikov's shot slipped through, taking the blame for the Game 5 loss.
Washington tied the game in the first period on a goal from Anthony Beauvillier, but it was the last goal the team scored in the series. Seth Jarvis added an empty-netter for Carolina in the final seconds.
Capitals star Alex Ovechkin, who turned 39 last September, scored once in five games during the series.
'I know this series, the stats won't be flattering,' Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery said about Ovechkin's play. 'I thought 'O' was great in playoffs.'
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Carbery was asked about a potential early retirement by Ovechkin following another early postseason ending after last season's first-round exit.
'My understanding is he's under contract," Carbery said. "So he'll be back next year.'
Ovechkin is under contract through the end of the 2025-26 season as part of a five-year, $47.5 million extension signed in 2021.
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) kneels on the ice after a stoppage in play against the Carolina Hurricanes at Capital One Arena.Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Ovechkin dismissed the idea of retiring before completing his contract during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show last month.
'I'm not retiring,' Ovechkin said. 'I have one more year, and we'll see what's gonna happen.
"I love being around the boys, and as long as I can, I will try to stick around and put my great body in the NHL."
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Ovechkin finished the playoffs with five goals in 10 games, with most of his production coming during the opening-round victory over the Montreal Canadiens.
Related: NHL's Immediate Reaction to Alex Ovechkin's Historic Playoff Milestone
Related: Capitals' Tom Wilson Pulls Off Bizarre Move in Loss to Hurricanes
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