From wearing an American flag patterned Speedo on South Beach to scoring four goals with a couple dozen stitches in his leg to subjecting teammates to techno blasted at ear-splitting volume levels in his car, the tales from Alex Ovechkin’s first few seasons in the NHL are the stuff of legend inside the Capitals’ headquarters.



In recent days, as Ovechkin authored the hottest goal-scoring stretch of his career in chasing another historic milestone – he is two goals shy of 700 for his career – The Athletic talked to more than a dozen of his teammates throughout the years, as well as members of the Capitals’ staff. The question was a simple one: Tell us your favorite early(ish) Ovi story.



Some had to think long and hard. Others began answering before the question was posed. A few refused to share because, well, it was a little too juicy for public consumption.



But more than enough did tell their Ovi story. And they’re a...