Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin entered the NHL together in 2005-06 and spent more than two decades linked by rivalry, playoff battles and constant comparisons.
After Ovechkin, the Washington Capitals captain, announced on Monday morning that the 2026-27 season will be his final NHL campaign, fellow team captain Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins reflected on their shared history and the respect that grew between them.
“(Our relationship) is tough; you come into the league at 18 years old, and before we even met, we were kinda built up against each other,” Crosby said. “I think with how competitive we are, especially coming in, trying to prove ourselves, it would’ve been difficult to be too close, I think, given some of the playoff matchups and history there. I think over the years I’ve developed a friendship with him and have a ton of respect for him.”
Crosby added that facing Ovechkin over more than two decades helped shape and change their relationship.
“You play against someone that long, you’re compared and see each other enough, I think that’s something that builds over time,” Crosby said.
The longtime rivals have faced each other 100 times in the NHL, including 25 playoff games, with a near-even head-to-head postseason record (13-12) in favor of Crosby. Their teams met in four postseason series, with Pittsburgh winning the first three before Washington broke through in 2018 and won the Stanley Cup.
Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
“Definitely have had some great battles over the years,” Crosby said. “Obviously, once you get to our age, that’s something that you have to make decisions on. And for him, as long as he’s happy and enjoying it, that’s the biggest thing.”
Ovechkin said he made the decision with his family and knew “in my heart” that it was the right call. He enters his final season as the NHL’s all-time leading goal-scorer with 929 goals.
Crosby and Ovechkin will meet again Wednesday, Oct. 7, when the Penguins visit the Capitals at Capital One Arena at 7:30 p.m. ET.
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