The all-time leading goal scorer is set to make an appearance in Ottawa on Thursday afternoon as the Senators host Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals at 1 p.m. This game is expected to be Ovechkin’s final visit to the Canadian Tire Center, given he is now 40 years old. Despite his age, there is no sign of slowing down as Ovechkin has played in all 40 games this season and ranks second on the Capitals with 34 points.
Levi Melilainen, the Senators’ new starting goalie and Ovechkin’s opponent for the day, was just a toddler when Ovechkin scored an impressive 106 points in his rookie season two decades ago. The Senators are aiming to kick off the new year with a win after losing three straight games over the holiday season to teams below them in the standings, weakening the momentum from their recent four-game winning streak.
With only the Columbus Blue Jackets trailing Ottawa in the Eastern Conference, the Senators risk falling behind playoff contenders. Just recently, fans were laughing at the struggling Buffalo Sabres, who are now on a 10-game winning streak and sitting in the second wild card spot, five points behind Ottawa. The Senators also trail the top three teams in the Atlantic Division by seven points, making it crucial for them to get off to a strong start.
Ottawa previously defeated Washington 7-1 on October 25, with standout performances from Drake Batherson and Dylan Cozens. However, the Senators were embarrassed 4-1 at home by the Blue Jackets shortly before the holidays, a game head coach Travis Green called one of the worst of the season. The match against Washington is scheduled just 13 hours after the New Year’s midnight, so any players who celebrated too much might be easy to spot.
Tim Stuetzle, who is on a 10-game point streak with 17 points, hopes to keep the momentum going. Tyler Creven will be back from injury, skating on the bottom defense line with Jordan Spence. Meanwhile, the Capitals received positive news with leading scorer Tom Wilson and goalie Logan Thompson named to Team Canada’s Olympic roster. Wilson showcased his skill during Washington’s 6-3 win over the New York Rangers on New Year’s Eve, scoring two goals and demonstrating why he earned his Olympic spot.
Wilson and Brady Tkachuk, who recently clashed in Ottawa, are expected to possibly face off again in Italy next month during the Olympics.
Projected lineups for the game include:
Capitals (21-14-5): McMichael-Sourdiff-Ovechkin, Protas-Strom-Wilson, Leonard-Dowd-Frank, Duhaime-Lapierre-Beauvillier; defense: Fehevary-Carlson, Chishurun-Roy, Sandin-McIras; goalies: Thompson, Lindgren; injured: Dubois.
Senators (18-15-5): Tkachuk-Stutzle-Zetterlund, Perron-Cozens-Batherson, Amadio-Pinto-Giroux, Greig-Halliday-Cousins; defense: Sanderson-Zub, Chabot-Jensen, Creven-Spence; goalies: Melilainen, Shepherd; scratches: McDiarmid, Matimpalo; injured: Eller.
Written by Steve Warne for Hockey News – Ottawa.
Fan Take: This game is more than just a regular-season match—it marks a near end of an era with Ovechkin nearing retirement and highlights the Senators’ struggle to stay competitive. For hockey fans, it’s a poignant reminder of the sport’s evolving landscape and the excitement of witnessing legendary talents before they fade from the spotlight.
