Ovechkin milestone fuels Capitals playoff clinch

Washington Capitals entered the 2025 season with high expectations, and a milestone night underlined their progress. The team, anchored by veteran forward Alexander Ovechkin, locked up a playoff berth as the schedule pushed deeper into March. The season has been marked by tight games, clutch late goals, and a core that has endured the grind of a long campaign. Ovechkin, who has been the heartbeat of the franchise for almost two decades, kept proving that experience can still drive a team forward while teammates built a flexible and dangerous lineup that can win in different ways. With the postseason on the horizon, fans watched closely as Washington moved within striking distance of a historic moment that could define the franchise for years to come. This season, the Capitals have shown balance, resilience, and the depth up front together with reliable goaltending that has made every point feel earned. The atmosphere around the team reflected a feeling that something meaningful was unfolding, a rare confluence of veteran leadership and growing chemistry that gave the playoffs a tangible payoff.