"Ovechkin's first defensive zone start of the season came 4:19 into the second period, and he scored 42 seconds later to bring Washington within one of Utah."
"His second defensive zone start occurred with 2:56 remaining in the third period, and he scored his 34th career hat trick with 5.2 seconds left."
"Ovechkin's first defensive zone starts came a staggering 73 games into the 2025-26 season, right when most analysts assumed he would not get one."
Alex Ovechkin, at 40 years old, received his first defensive zone starts of the season during a game against the Utah Mammoth. He scored his 924th career goal shortly after his first defensive zone start and later completed a hat trick with his 926th goal. These starts came 73 games into the season, surprising many analysts. Head coach Spencer Carbery made the decision to give Ovechkin these opportunities late in the game, showcasing his strategic approach to utilizing the veteran player.
Read at RMNB
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