Ovechkin's Grit and Glory in a Season of MVP Shocks
Let me tell you about something pretty remarkable in the NHL world — something that, if you're a hockey fan or just someone who appreciates greatness, you'll want to hear. Alex Ovechkin, the living legend and captain of the Washington Capitals, just wrapped up his 20th season in the NHL. Yes, twentieth . And at 39 years old, after suffering a broken leg midseason, he not only came back — he came back swinging.
Ovechkin put up a stellar 73 points in just 65 games — 44 of those were goals. That marked his 14th 40-goal season, a stat so outrageous it reads like a video game cheat code. And if that’s not enough to impress, how about this: he finally did it — he broke Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record, and he did it in classic Ovi fashion, on a power play against the New York Islanders in April. It was one of those moments where history paused, and we all got to witness the rewriting of the record books.
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Now, in the 2025 Hart Trophy voting — the NHL’s MVP award — Ovechkin finished eighth overall. That’s right, eighth . He even snagged a first-place vote. While he didn’t walk away with the trophy this time, it’s telling that voters still recognized the value he brought to a Capitals team that topped the Eastern Conference with 111 points. He was their heartbeat — leading in goals, points-per-game, power-play goals, and shots.
Meanwhile, the winner of the Hart this year was Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. And honestly, the guy earned it. He pulled off something that hasn’t been done since Carey Price in 2015: he won both the Hart and the Vezina (best goalie). Hellebuyck went 47-12-3 with a ridiculous 2.00 goals-against average, a .925 save percentage, and eight shutouts. His dominance carried the Jets to their best season ever, winning the Presidents’ Trophy.
But here’s where the story really hits: Ovechkin, despite age, injury, and a league that’s constantly getting younger and faster, is still right there — still getting MVP votes, still setting records, still feared on the ice. He’s the only Capital to have ever won the Hart Trophy, doing it three times before (2008, 2009, 2013). And even in this twilight stage of his career, he’s proving he’s far from finished.
This wasn’t just another season. It was a testament to Ovechkin’s endurance, his legacy, and his unwavering impact on the game. The Hart might have gone to Hellebuyck, but Ovi’s legend? That just keeps growing.
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