On March 27, 2025, the Washington Capitals fell 3-2 in a shootout to the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center, but the night’s defining moment came after the final whistle. Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin led his teammates in a post-game handshake line to honor Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, widely expected to retire after the 2024-25 season. The gesture recognized Fleury’s 20-year NHL career, during which he’s faced—and often thwarted—Ovechkin more than any netminder. With Washington atop the league at 47-15-5 and Minnesota clinging to a wild card spot at 37-24-6, the game blended competition with a nod to hockey’s past.
The contest itself was a goaltending duel. Minnesota struck first at 8:19 of the second period when Kirill Kaprizov wristed a shot past Charlie Lindgren, his 35th goal. Washington tied it late in the frame, as Ovechkin scored his 889th career tally at 16:42—a one-timer from the left circle off a John Carlson pass, bringing him six goals shy of Wayne Gretzky’s record. The Wild regained the lead in the third with Matt Boldy’s 27th at 5:14, deflecting a Jonas Brodin shot. Dylan Strome equalized at 12:09, his 24th, forcing overtime. After a scoreless extra frame, Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek beat Lindgren in the shootout, while Fleury stopped Tom Wilson and Strome, securing the win.
Fleury’s performance—31 saves on 33 shots—underscored his enduring skill at 40. “He’s still got it,” Ovechkin said post-game, explaining the handshake. “It’s respect for what he’s done.” Lindgren, with 27 saves on 29 shots, kept Washington in it, though the Capitals’ 103 points couldn’t extend their four-game point streak. Minnesota’s 80 points kept them two ahead of Calgary for the West’s second wild card, with 13 games left.
The handshake line, a rare mid-season tribute, reflected Fleury’s impact. Drafted first overall by Pittsburgh in 2003, he’s won three Stanley Cups (2009, 2016, 2017), a Vezina (2021), and played 1,056 games—second only to Martin Brodeur among goalies. His 571 wins rank third all-time, behind Brodeur (691) and Patrick Roy (551), with a 2.58 GAA and .912 save percentage. This season, Fleury’s 15-9-3 record, 2.67 GAA, and .905 save percentage in 28 starts have steadied a Wild team hit by injuries to Filip Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt.
Ovechkin’s history with Fleury adds depth to the moment. The Capitals star has scored 28 goals against him—more than any goalie—across 62 meetings, per NHL stats. Their battles span Fleury’s stints with Pittsburgh, Vegas, Chicago, and Minnesota, including playoff clashes like the 2009 Eastern Conference Final, won by Pittsburgh en route to the Cup. “He’s stopped me plenty too,” Ovechkin noted, referencing Fleury’s 1,943 saves against Washington since 2005. The tribute mirrored gestures Fleury received earlier this year from Pittsburgh and Vegas, signaling his retirement looms.
Wild coach John Hynes called it “a class move by Alex and the Caps,” adding, “Marc’s earned that respect.” Fleury, who hasn’t confirmed his plans, deflected attention, saying, “It’s nice, but I’m just trying to help us win.” Minnesota’s playoff push relies on his experience, with Kaprizov’s 78 points and Boldy’s 54 pacing an offense that’s scored 115 goals since January 1. Their 82.4% penalty kill ranks eighth, bolstered by Fleury’s 4.2 goals saved above average this year.
Washington’s season remains a juggernaut. Their 47 wins lead the NHL, with Ovechkin’s 36 goals, Carlson’s 48 points, and Strome’s 63 driving a 235-goal attack (sixth league-wide). Lindgren’s 2.51 GAA in 34 starts has stabilized a crease once Bobrovsky’s, while a 52.4% Corsi-for percentage reflects their dominance. The shootout loss—only their fifth—did little to dent a 23-7-3 road record, though it highlighted Minnesota’s resilience.
For Capitals fans searching for NHL news, Ovechkin’s gesture ties his record chase to sportsmanship. His 889 goals, scored in 1,485 games, trail Gretzky’s 894 by a narrowing margin, with 15 games left. A 0.55 goals-per-game pace this season suggests he could tie or pass the mark by mid-April, possibly against Toronto on April 10. On X, “Ovechkin Fleury” trended, with posts like “Two legends respecting each other” and “Classy move by Ovi.”
Fleury’s career stats dwarf most peers. His 81 shutouts rank second to Brodeur’s 125, while his 19,678 saves trail only Brodeur and Luongo. Against Ovechkin’s Caps, he’s 32-23-7, a testament to his clutch play—like the 2009 Cup Final, where he robbed Nicklas Backstrom to clinch Game 7. This year’s 8-4-1 record since February 1 keeps Minnesota afloat, though Gustavsson’s return could shift starts.
The Wild face Vancouver on March 29, testing their 18-11-3 home record, while Washington visits Detroit same day, eyeing 105 points. Minnesota’s plus-22 goal differential ranks ninth, but their 2.71 GAA (11th) leans on Fleury’s poise. A first-round matchup with Winnipeg or Colorado looms if they hold their spot, per playoff odds at 68%.
Ovechkin’s legacy intersects with Fleury’s here. His 313 power-play goals dwarf Gretzky’s 204, while Fleury’s 44 playoff wins trail only Roy and Brodeur. Both entered the NHL in 2005—Ovechkin as Rookie of the Year, Fleury as a backup—shaping an era now nearing its end. “He’s been a warrior,” Carlson said of Fleury, echoing league sentiment.
As March 28 dawns, the handshake resonates. For those tracking the Capitals or Wild in 2025, it’s a bridge between past and present—Ovechkin chasing history, Fleury capping it. Whether this was Fleury’s final bow against Washington, the moment stood as hockey’s version of a passing torch.
