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Defector

Lauren Theisen

Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals skates before playing against the Los Angeles Kings during the first period at Capital One Arena on November 17, 2025 in Washington, DC.

When Will Alex Ovechkin Stop Scoring?

Copies of Hillary Clinton's book "What Happened" sit on a shelf

A Short Farewell To The NHL’s Second-Round Losers

Cole Caufield #13 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates after scoring a goal

There’s Nothing Like The Sound Of A Goal In Montreal

Dave McKenna

ELMONT, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with Wayne Gretzky and Gary Bettman after scoring his 895th career goal, passing Gretzky for the all-time scoring record, during the second period of a game against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on April 6, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/NHLI via Getty Images)

I’m The Idiot Who Bet Against Ovechkin

Barry Petchesky

Alex Ovechkin Scores

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 04: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates after scoring his 894th career NHL goal in the third period against the Chicago Blackhawks at Capital One Arena on April 04, 2025 in Washington, DC. Ovechkin's goal ties him with Wayne Gretzky for the all-time goal scoring record. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Ovechkin Skates Down Gretzky

Tom Wilson #43 of the Washington Capitals scores in overtime

Alex Ovechkin Is Getting All The Help He Needs

Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin during player introductions at the 2017 skills competition

A Pittsburgh Pilgrimage

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 17: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates his goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period at T-Mobile Arena on November 17, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images)

Alex Ovechkin Refuses To Slow Down

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA - DECEMBER 13: Monumental Sports &amp; Entertainment CEO Ted Leonsis (R) arrives for the announcement of a new sports arena for the Washington Wizards NBA basketball team and Washington Capitals NHL hockey team, December 13, 2023 in Alexandria, Virginia. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced a tentative agreement with Monumental Sports &amp; Entertainment that would move the Wizards and the Capitals from Washington, DC to what Youngkin called a new "visionary sports and entertainment venue" in northern Virginia. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

The Washington Capitals, You Have Made A Powerful Enemy Today

Alex Ovechkin leaves the ice after warmups

There’s Not Always Next Year

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

Ted Leonsis talks into a Wizards-branded microphone.

Ted Leonsis Finally Abandons Glenn Youngkin’s Doomed Virginia Gambit

The Caps Can’t Waste An Ovechkin Night Like That

Lucas Raymond celebrates his goal with his teammates

Who Wants To Be The Eighth Seed In The East?

Ted Leonsis’s Suburban Arena Scam Is Nearly Kaput

Alex Ovechkin’s Hand Rises From The Mud

COLUMBUS, OH - DECEMBER 21: Elvis Merzlikins #90 of the Columbus Blue Jackets fights Tom Wilson #43 of the Washington Capitals in a goal during overtime at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio on December 21, 2023. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Tom Wilson Earned A Game-Winning Assist By Getting Punched

Ted Leonsis sits at a lectern emblazoned with Wizards logos.

Ted Leonsis Is Chasing A Wad Of Public Dough Out To The ‘Burbs

Alex Ovechkin celebrates his empty net goal with Dylan Strome

October Is A Vacuum

Samer Kalaf

A closeup of the Qatar World Cup gold medal

Capital

Qatar’s Interest In The Washington Wizards Is The Next Step

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 10: Anders Lee #27 of the New York Islanders leaves the ice after obtaining an injury during a game against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on April 10, 2023 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by John McCreary/NHLI via Getty Images)