One of the storylines that will get the most attention this season is Alex Ovechkin's quest to beat Wayne Gretzky's goal record. He only needs 42 goals to become the best goal scorer in NHL history, and some believe he could achieve it this season or the next.
Unfortunately, a recent development during the Washington Capitals' informal practice session could stand in the way of this happening.
Indeed, Ovechkin left the ice during practice, visibly affected by an injury.
It's too early to know the nature of his injury or how it will impact the 38-year-old player as we get closer to the season opener.
If Ovi ends up missing significant time, the Caps will be able to rely on their summer acquisitions. By acquiring Pierre-Luc Dubois, who's looking for a fresh start after a tough journey in Los Angeles, Andrew Mangiapane, who'll try to make a good first impression with his new team after spending his whole career with the Calgary Flames, and Jakob Chychrun, the defenseman who'll try to regain his offensive touch, the Caps could still be a competitive team without Ovechkin.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 16 | 285 ANSWERS Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin suffers injury minutes into first skate of the season: worries growing Do you think the Washington Capitals will be a competitive team this year? | ||
| Yes | 73 | 25.6 % |
| No | 212 | 74.4 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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JANUARY 19, 2026
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| G | A | PTS | ||
| Marcus Foligno | 3 | - | 3 | |
| Nathan MacKinnon | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Vladimir Tarasenko | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Connor Dewar | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Anthony Duclair | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Cutter Gauthier | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Travis Konecny | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Anthony DeAngelo | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Ethen Frank | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Ryan Hartman | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Auston Matthews | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Ben Meyers | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Victor Olofsson | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Artemi Panarin | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Andrei Svechnikov | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Sebastian Aho | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Mathew Barzal | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Igor Chernyshov | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Sidney Crosby | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Brock Faber | - | 2 | 2 | |
| COMPLETE STATS | ||||
| 2025-2026 NHL STANDINGS | ||||||
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Lightning | 47 | 30 | 13 | 4 | 64 | |
| Red Wings | 50 | 30 | 16 | 4 | 64 | |
| Canadiens | 49 | 27 | 15 | 7 | 61 | |
| Bruins | 49 | 28 | 19 | 2 | 58 | |
| Sabres | 47 | 26 | 16 | 5 | 57 | |
| Maple Leafs | 48 | 24 | 16 | 8 | 56 | |
| Panthers | 47 | 25 | 19 | 3 | 53 | |
| Senators | 48 | 22 | 19 | 7 | 51 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Hurricanes | 49 | 30 | 15 | 4 | 64 | |
| Islanders | 48 | 26 | 17 | 5 | 57 | |
| Penguins | 47 | 22 | 14 | 11 | 55 | |
| Capitals | 49 | 24 | 19 | 6 | 54 | |
| Flyers | 47 | 22 | 17 | 8 | 52 | |
| Blue Jackets | 48 | 22 | 19 | 7 | 51 | |
| Devils | 48 | 24 | 22 | 2 | 50 | |
| Rangers | 49 | 21 | 22 | 6 | 48 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Avalanche | 46 | 33 | 5 | 8 | 74 | |
| Stars | 49 | 27 | 13 | 9 | 63 | |
| Wild | 49 | 27 | 13 | 9 | 63 | |
| Mammoth | 49 | 25 | 20 | 4 | 54 | |
| Predators | 48 | 23 | 21 | 4 | 50 | |
| Blues | 49 | 19 | 22 | 8 | 46 | |
| Blackhawks | 48 | 19 | 22 | 7 | 45 | |
| Jets | 47 | 19 | 22 | 6 | 44 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Golden Knights | 47 | 24 | 11 | 12 | 60 | |
| Oilers | 50 | 25 | 17 | 8 | 58 | |
| Kraken | 47 | 21 | 17 | 9 | 51 | |
| Sharks | 47 | 24 | 20 | 3 | 51 | |
| Ducks | 48 | 24 | 21 | 3 | 51 | |
| Kings | 48 | 19 | 16 | 13 | 51 | |
| Flames | 48 | 21 | 23 | 4 | 46 | |
| Canucks | 48 | 16 | 27 | 5 | 37 | |
COMPLETE STANDINGS | ||||||