Ovechkin did not let a 4-2 loss to the Wild at Xcel Energy Center, Minnesota stop him from honoring the Wild star goalie, who is expected to retire at the end of the 2024-25 NHL season, as the 39-year-old Washington forward called his teammates to shake Fleury's hands.

Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin, who's closing in on the NHL's all-time goals record, stopped teammates from leaving the ice until they shook hands with Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, who ranks second all time in goalie wins and intends to retire after the season. The Capitals lined up everyone to shake Fleury's hand after the game.

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin was once a frequent foil of Fleury's, but on Thursday he went out of his way to show the goalie respect—gathering his teammates to shake Fleury's hand one-by-one before leaving the ice.