Alexander Ovechkin, 40, and Sidney Crosby, 38, were drafted in 2004 and 2005, respectively, and have since been big poster players for Washington and Pittsburgh.
There are many indications that Sunday night's meeting between the giants was their last. Ovechkin is on an expiring contract with Washington and will turn 41 in September. However, that didn't stop the home fans from chanting for "one more year" with their captain.
Ovechkin got an assist in the game, which Washington won 3–0. Afterwards, Crosby and his teammates lined up to shake hands with Ovechkin - in case it was their last meeting with the legend.
"As an athlete, it's pretty cool to be a part of some big games and that rivalry," Crosby said after the game, according to nhl.com.
It has been something special and something I, and hopefully everyone, appreciated.
Washington still has a slim chance of making the playoffs. The team is one point behind Philadelphia in the race for a wild card spot. However, Philadelphia has one less game to play and can decide the race as early as Tuesday night, with a win against Carolina. Then Washington's final regular-season game, Wednesday night, against Columbus will be of no importance.
Ovechkin has said he will make a decision about his future after the season ends. Now he will chase miracles.
"We are in the fight for the playoffs. I don't think about what will happen in a week, or tomorrow," he said after the game.
