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Capitals Islanders Hockey
Washington Capitals' Dylan Strome, right, and Alex Ovechkin, left, celebrate with teammates after Strome scored a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — When Alex Ovechkin hosted Washington Capitals teammates for his 39th birthday dinner in September, he made it clear his focus for the next several months was on Stanley, not Wayne Gretzky.
“He was talking not about the record, but he was talking about having a good crack at the Cup and making it to the playoffs and getting the team there,” winger Tom Wilson recalled.