- The Predators gave Alex Ovechkin a custom black Gibson guitar before his final game in Nashville
- The pick guard reads “Alex Ovechkin No. 8.” with Predators and Capitals logos
- Read below for how Barry Trotz and Roman Josi fit into the guitar gift
Alex Ovechkin got a guitar in Music City.
The Nashville Predators presented the Capitals captain with a custom black Gibson guitar before Thursday’s game at Bridgestone Arena, his final regular-season visit to Nashville. Roman Josi and Barry Trotz handed over the gift in the Capitals’ room before the game, according to ClutchPoints.
The Predators shared their own post on the gift, calling it “A Music City gift for the Gr8” and congratulating Ovechkin “on an incredible career.” The NHL also had video of the moment:
The guitar has an inscription on the pick guard that reads “Alex Ovechkin No. 8.” It also carries both the Predators and Capitals logos, so it works as a keepsake he can take home when the season ends.
Trotz made the night a little more personal. The longtime Nashville coach and GM, who led Ovechkin and Washington to the 2018 Stanley Cup, was inducted into the Predators’ Golden Hall in a pregame ceremony. Trotz also dropped the ceremonial puck between Josi and Ovechkin.
Earlier in the week, Trotz told NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti he wanted to see “the Big Man” and that Nashville would give Ovechkin a big sendoff. We covered those comments in our Ovechkin farewell tour story.
Ovechkin announced on Oct. 5 that this will be his last NHL season. The 41-year-old has 930 career goals, and he played 31 games against Nashville before Thursday with 20 goals and 12 assists. He had one goal and three assists in 11 games this season entering the night, and the Capitals were 7-4-0.
It’s the latest stop on the tour. The night before, Ovechkin floored the Flyers’ McDonald with a shove in a 5-2 Capitals win.
Ovechkin’s first game in Nashville came March 18, 2008, when he had three points in a 4-2 Capitals win.
