Bold moment, quiet respect: Alex Ovechkin leads a post-game handshake that honors a legend on the way out. After a 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings, Ovechkin guided the Capitals through a second handshake line, this time with Anze Kopitar, who announced his retirement at year’s end.
The Capitals skated to center ice at Crypto.com Arena, exchanging handshakes—and even hugs—with Kopitar as the Los Angeles captain stood near the finish line of his remarkable career. Ovechkin later explained, “Yeah, just saying congrats on the amazing career. Obviously, it’s a sad moment, but it’s life. Yeah, it’s sad, but I wish him all the best.”
During the Monumental Sports Network broadcast, Ovechkin called Kopitar to stay on the ice a moment longer before the Kings headed to the locker room. Kopitar waited roughly a minute as Washington gathered and rolled out one final wave of goodwill.
“This shows respect,” Ovechkin remarked about what looked like an unplanned tribute. “Obviously, it’s a game, but after the whistle, it shows respect to him, for what he’s done for this game and this league. And obviously it’s just all about respect.”
This handshake line isn’t Ovechkin’s first farewell to Kopitar. When the Kings visited Capital One Arena on November 17, the two exchanged jerseys—a moment both clubs highlighted on social media. Kopitar inscribed, in silver Sharpie, on Ovechkin’s jersey: “To Ovi, You are a goal-scoring machine! Your friend, Anze Kopitar.”
Kopitar also received a jersey from Sidney Crosby after a November game.
In 20 seasons with the Kings, Kopitar has amassed 1,292 points (445 goals, 847 assists) in 1,476 games. A three-time Lady Byng and two-time Selke winner, he also claimed the Stanley Cup in 2012 and 2014.
In Tuesday’s win, Kopitar registered a primary assist on Adrian Kempe’s ninth goal of the season.
Ovechkin has a track record of honoring retiring opponents. Earlier this year, in March, the Capitals’ lineup recognized Marc-Andre Fleury, then with the Minnesota Wild, in a handshake tribute just before Fleury’s farewell season drew to a close.
