In a lively preseason clash, the Washington Capitals defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets with a 4 to 2 scoreline. The game showcased several emerging Capitals contributors who left a positive impression on fans watching across North America. Alexey Protas, Riley Sutter, and Anthony Mantha shone on the scoresheet, helping Washington pull ahead in a contest that mixed effort, energy, and a dash of playoff-ready urgency. One notable absence from the Capitals was the team’s legendary Russian winger Alexander Ovechkin, who did not leave a mark on the scoreboard in this particular tilt.
Columbus did find the net through Brendan Gons and Markus Bjork, offering a glimpse of the depth the Blue Jackets are developing during the preseason. The result keeps both teams focused on building chemistry and testing lines ahead of the regular season.
Last season Ovechkin appeared in 74 regular season contests for the Capitals, compiling 42 goals and 33 assists. While those numbers reflect a high-volume contribution, they did not directly translate into playoff success for Washington in the autumn grind of the tournament, a reminder that the postseason is a separate test of endurance and execution. Ovechkin remains one of the most prolific scorers in NHL history, though recent seasons have highlighted the evolving dynamics of team play and the need for supporting casts to step up when stars are limited to a supporting role in certain games.
Ovechkin sits among a storied cadre of NHL greats as he continues to chase milestones. He has stacked an impressive goal total that puts him near the top ranks of all time, a testament to his long and productive career. In the broader context of the league, contemporaries and legends alike are measured not only by raw totals but by impact, longevity, and leadership in the room and on the ice. The ongoing dialogue about where players stand in the pantheon reflects the evolving nature of the game and its history.
Looking ahead to the regular season schedule, Washington is set to open against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The opener is scheduled for October 14, with the game tipping off in the early afternoon local time. For fans in North America, that means a 2:30 p.m. start on the East Coast, a time that allows viewers from coast to coast to tune in and catch the action live or through their preferred streaming options. The matchup promises a high-stakes atmosphere as teams begin to settle into their most important window of the year.
Columbus, meanwhile, will host Philadelphia for their first regular season tilt. The Philadelphia game is slated to begin on October 13 at 2:00 p.m. local time, offering the Blue Jackets a quick opportunity to showcase the progression of their lineup after the preseason. These early clashes are more than exhibition; they set the tone for how teams will rotate lines, defense pairings, and power-play units once the games count.
As the season approaches, observers note Ovechkin’s ongoing presence in conversations about the league’s all-time greats. While he might not have been front and center in every preseason session, his career arc continues to attract attention from analysts, fans, and Canadian and American hockey communities alike. The ongoing assessment of his role versus the evolving generation around him remains a talking point among pundits and enthusiasts who track every milestone and subtle shift in play style. In North American sport culture, such discussions are part of what makes the sport compelling—statistical milestones, leadership, and the ability to adapt to changing teammates all contribute to a player’s lasting legacy. [citation needed: NHL career milestones and season-by-season performance]