No two players have defined the last 20-odd years of NHL hockey quite like Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, but their intertwined story will pen its final chapter this season.
Ovechkin, in a video posted by the Washington Capitals early on Monday, announced that this season would be his last, setting the stage for a showdown against Crosby's Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night.
Asked about his longtime counterpart's decision to call it a career, Crosby looked back fondly on his shared history with Ovechkin, from generational prospects to respected rivals and friends.
"It's tough; you come into the league at 18 years old, and before we even met, we were kinda built up against each other ... " Crosby said to reporters after morning skate on Monday. "I think with how competitive we are, especially coming in, trying to prove ourselves, it would've been difficult to be too close, I think, given some of the playoff matchups and history there. I think over the years I've developed a friendship with him and have a ton of respect for him.
"You play against someone that long, you're compared and see each other enough, I think that's something that builds over time."
With both superstars plying their trade in the NHL's Metropolitan Division, their battles were more frequent than most, pitting the league's two biggest stars under the spotlight in both the regular season and playoffs.
They've laced up against one another 100 total times (75 in the regular season, 25 in the playoffs) since the 2005-06 season, when they first battled it out as rookies.
Though Ovechkin took home the Calder Trophy that year as the league's best rookie, Crosby has had the upper hand in their matchups over the years, with a 43-28-4 regular-season record and has won three out of four playoff series between the two.
Their showdowns have been appointment viewing for NHL fans since they first laced up against one another on Nov. 22, 2005, and both players have brought their A-game in those matchups. Crosby has 97 regular-season points (35 goals, 62 assists) and 30 post-season points (13 goals, 17 assists), while Ovechkin has 71 (38 goals, 32 assists) and 33 (15 goals, 18 assists), respectively.
"Definitely have had some great battles over the years," Crosby said. "Obviously, once you get to our age, that's something that you have to make decisions on. And for him, as long as he's happy and enjoying it, that's the biggest thing."
