Alex Ovechkin has one goal through 15 games as reduced ice time and a scoreless power-play start mark a difficult opening to what Sportsnet describes as his final NHL season.

The 41-year-old Washington Capitals captain is averaging 13 minutes 49 seconds per game, a career low, according to an analysis by Sportsnet’s Adam Vingan. His one-goal total is also his lowest through the opening 15 games of his 22-season career.

Washington has reduced its reliance on Ovechkin after adding forwards Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou over the summer. Through the stretch examined by Sportsnet, Tuch led the Capitals with 11 goals and Kyrou had a team-high 14 points.

Capitals coach Spencer Carbery told The Athletic that Ovechkin understood the team’s forward depth would mean fewer opportunities and had emphasized his desire to win, Sportsnet reported.

The change is particularly pronounced on the power play. Ovechkin, whose 331 career power-play goals lead NHL history, has yet to score with the man advantage this season. He has played 68.1 per cent of Washington’s power-play minutes, down from 91.6 per cent last season.

The Capitals have nevertheless maintained a top-10 offence in goals per game. At five-on-five, they have outscored opponents 9–7 with Ovechkin on the ice, suggesting his reduced production has not prevented the team from finding success in those minutes.

There is precedent for a recovery: Ovechkin scored eight goals in his first 43 games of the 2023–24 season before finishing with 31. Whether he can produce another turnaround remains uncertain.

Sources