At 40 years old, Alex Ovechkin remains an unstoppable force on the ice, proving that age is just a number when it comes to his physical dominance. In a recent game against the New York Islanders, the Capitals’ captain delivered a jaw-dropping moment that left fans in awe—and Casey Cizikas on the ice. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was it a calculated move or just Ovechkin’s natural, relentless style? During the second period, with the Capitals on a power play, Ovechkin effortlessly glided into the offensive zone, aiming for a loose puck near Ilya Sorokin’s net. Meanwhile, Cizikas, 34, was completely absorbed in tracking the puck, his back turned to the approaching powerhouse. In a split second, Cizikas pivoted directly into Ovechkin’s towering 6’3”, 238-pound frame, resulting in a collision that Monumental Sports commentator Craig Laughlin aptly described as being ‘run over by a Mack truck.’ And this is the part most people miss: Despite the intensity of the hit, Ovechkin’s focus remained on the puck, though he fanned on the shot. Sorokin quickly covered it, preventing a goal. The Capitals ultimately secured a 4-2 victory, with Ovechkin logging an assist—his first point of the 2025-26 season—and two hits in 17:28 of ice time. This assist marked a historic moment, as it allowed Ovechkin to surpass Hockey Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux for the seventh-most road points in NHL history (784). Here’s the kicker: Ovechkin’s career hit count now stands at 3,747, trailing only retired NHLers Matt Martin (3,936) and Cal Clutterbuck (4,029) for the all-time lead since the NHL began tracking hits in 2005-06. But here’s the question that sparks debate: Is Ovechkin’s longevity and physicality a testament to his unmatched skill, or does it highlight the evolving nature of the game? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—is Ovechkin’s dominance a celebration of hockey’s past, or a challenge to its future?
