"It's back, babes": Alex Ovechkin announces return of Screaming Eagle Capitals jersey on his birthday

The Washington Capitals announced they will wear their black Screaming Eagle jerseys for six games in the 2024-25 NHL season. The team made the announcement with star forward Alex Ovechkin on his birthday on Tuesday.

The Capitals social media team told Ovechkin they had a surprise for him. Ovechkin opened a package that contained the black Screaming Eagle jersey.

After the video, the Capitals posted another social media post revealing the six games where the team will wear the jersey.

The dates whenWashington will wear the jersey are as follows:

• vs. Nashville, Nov. 6
• vs, Islanders, Nov. 29
• vs. Boston, Dec. 31
• vs. Pittsburgh, Jan. 18
• vs. Winnipeg, Feb. 1
• vs. Columbus, April, 13

Many fans were excited about the news as it was a jersey that Ovechkin wore in the early parts of his career with Washington. The Capitals are celebrating 50 years this season.

Capitals had an active offseason

Washington was swept by the New York Rangers in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs last season.

After the early playoff exit, Washington went out and was aggressive in the offseason. The Capitals traded for Pierre-Luc Dubois, Andrew Mangiapane, Logan Thompson and Jakob Chychrun. Then, the team signed Matt Roy, Brandon Duhaime and Taylor Raddysh in free agency.

Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan made bold moves and he said his plan in the offseason was to take risks.

"I think we've been trying to take risks, ... that's been our philosophy, versus let's just tank it and go down and try to win the lottery, which is a painful approach to it," MacLellan said, via Hockey News. "We're taking a lot of risks."

Despite all the moves, Washington is considered a firing team to make the playoffs in the 2024-25 NHL season. However, MacLellan said the Capitals are a much better team now than they were last season:

“I think we’re better. I just think it’s a better-slotted team. It should be better offensively. We’ll find that out later. I think it’s overall just a deeper, better-structured team than it was last year.”

Washington kicks off its regular season on Oct. 5 against the Boston Bruins.