Two-time Gagarin Cup winner Sergei Konkov offered his take on the situation surrounding Russian forward and Washington Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin, who had just ended an eight-game goal drought. His comments appeared in RB Sports as a practical, veteran perspective for fans watching the chase unfold.
Konkov stressed a straightforward approach for Ovechkin: there is no need to push the pace or chase perfection. The veteran winger should stay calm, shake off unnecessary tension, and focus on contributing to the team in any way possible. If a goal comes, that’s a bonus. The main objective is to relax, play with confidence, and avoid creating extra hype around every shift, according to Konkov’s guidance.
The Capitals faced the Dallas Stars on the night of January 28, with the clash unfolding at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The Stars rallied for a comeback win in overtime, finishing 5–4. Ovechkin chipped in by netting a late third-period goal and adding an assist, a reminder that his impact reaches beyond the stat sheet and into the game’s momentum.
That late goal marked the 831st of Ovechkin’s NHL career, keeping him locked in the ongoing race to surpass hockey legends. He trails Wayne Gretzky by 63 goals, the all-time standard at 894. Across the current season, Ovechkin experienced a dip in production, including a stretch of 14 consecutive scoreless games in November and December. Nevertheless, he closed the season with 9 goals and 22 assists across 44 appearances, a testament to his steady offensive contribution even during quieter spells.
Earlier in the season, Washington had responded when Ovechkin’s goalless stretch showed signs of ending, signaling a renewed readiness to lean on his leadership and scoring touch as the team navigates the demands of a long campaign. The Capitals’ locker room and coaching staff publicly underscored their belief that Ovechkin can still tilt games with a single moment, a sentiment echoed by analysts and former players alike. The discussion around his form resonated across North American hockey coverage, drawing attention from fans in Canada and the United States who follow every shift and milestone with keen interest. [RB Sports attribution]