The confrontation between Washington and Pittsburgh for a long time was the hallmark of the NHL. However, now the degree at the Capitals and Penguins matches has become noticeably smaller. However, a duel between Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeny Malkin can reboot … in the KHL.

Principal rivals have a lot in common

In the playoffs “Washington” and “Pittsburgh” have not been met since 2018. “Penguins” in general for three consecutive years have not taken part in the Stanley Cup. The metropolitan club could have been in the same position, but they did incredible work last summer, and in the season-2024/25 the team managed to surprise everyone.

According to the results of the “regular” “Washington” took first place in the east, and out of the six best scorers five set new records for the scored points in his career: Dylan Strum (82), Alexei Protas (66), Pierre-Luke Dubois (66), Tom Wilson (65) and Connor McMaikle (57). But it was not possible to make noise in the playoffs: “Capitals” in the second round lost “Caroline” in five matches.

It is interesting that Pittsburgh seems to have been inspired by the history of the capital’s club, which did not rush into all the hard and start a radical perestroika. Penguins was invited this summer to lead the team of 42-year-old Dan Muse, who for the first time will become the head coach of the NHL. By the way, Spencer Karberi had no such experience before working at Washington. The fans even began to joke that the specialists of Pittsburgh and Capitals now have a lot in common – both are young and prefer the same hairstyles.

Dan Muz / Photo: © Minas Panagiotakis / Contributor / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

But the similarity of the two teams does not end there. It seems that in the near future the clubs say goodbye to their legends.

Waiting for the legendary Zaruba in the KHL?

At the end of May, the wife of Alexander Ovechkin Anastasia Shubskaya stated that the captain of Washington will work for the last year under the contract and return to Russia. Given the long-standing desire of the greatest sniper to play for the Moscow Dynamo, the fans of the “blue and white” are waiting for the player the forward will complete the player in his native club. And on June 16, The Athletic journalist Josh Yoi said Pittsburgh will not extend the contract with Evgeny Malkin.

This means that after the season-2025/26 NHL it will never be the same-the era of Malkin and Ovechkin is likely to come to an end. Considering that both events can happen very soon, in North America there will probably be an increased interest in the Capitals and Penguins matches.

At the same time, it is difficult to imagine that the NHL career Alexander will not finish in Jersey “Washington”. But 38-year-old Eugene, despite the ban on exchanges, in the next season with his own desire may well be in another team.

Alexander Ovechkin, Evgeny Malkin / Photo: © Joe Hrycych / Contributor / National Hockey League / Gettyimages.ru, Patrick McDermott / Contributor / National Hockey League / Gettyimages.ru

Now in the final of the Stanley Cup draw, 37-year-old Brad Marshan and 40-year-old Kory Perry are lighting. The same Marshan did not plan to leave Boston, and now he is just a step from the champion title. So Malkin is probably able to benefit the team claiming the main trophy of the league.

Well, then the scenario is quite likely, in which the confrontation between Ovechkin and Malkin will continue, but already in the KHL. However, the forward of Pittsburgh already said that he was not going to leave the number and play for his native Magnitogorsk Metallurg only for a box.

– My thought was that I had a contract with Pittsburgh until 2026. I want to finish it to the end. Then I will be 40 years old. And at the moment, right now I feel that at this age to go to Magnitogorsk … It may turn out that I will take someone’s place.

I do not want to play, just rolling on the ice and serving the room, recalling only the shadow of Malkin. But if I have strength and desire in 2026, and I will feel that I can still in hockey, then I’ll definitely consider the possibility of returning to Magnitogorsk, ”Malkin said in an interview with Match TV.

If everything really turns out so that in a year Ovechkin will become a player of Dynamo, and Malkin will replenish the composition of Metallurg, then this season will become truly special for the Russian league.