Alex Ovechkin has a tradition when current Washington Capitals players face their former teams. In the tunnel before warmups, he’ll begin singing the chorus of Frank Sinatra’s I Love You, Baby, but with a few goofy Ovechkian edits.
The tradition continued Thursday at PPG Paints Arena as Anthony Beauvillier suited up against the Penguins for a second time since the Capitals acquired him from the team at the trade deadline last season.
“Hey, Beau. Those f***ers REALLY don’t want you, but you know what?” Ovechkin said before breaking into song. “We want you baby, la la la la la la, I need you baby, la la la la la la.”
“There’s too many teams that don’t want me,” Beauvillier cracked.
“Huh?” Ovechkin said
“Too many teams that don’t want me,” Beauvillier replied.
“Well, you know what?” Ovechkin said. “We want you…”
The two broke into laughter.
The happy-go-lucky Beauvillier does have a point, though. After spending the first seven seasons of his career with the New York Islanders, Beauvillier played for four different teams over a span of two seasons — Vancouver Canucks, Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, and Pittsburgh Penguins — before finding a home with the Washington Capitals.
Beauvillier, who can play anywhere up and down the lineup from the fourth line to the first (Beauvi + Ovi), was signed to a two-year, $5.5 million contract extension by the Caps in July after posting six points (2g, 4a) in 10 playoff games last spring.
His good play and good vibes have continued into this season as well. Per Money Puck, Beauvillier ranks second on the team in expected goals (5.2), trailing only the team’s leading goal-scorer, Tom Wilson.
Beauvillier also got some national attention after pranking former Islanders teammate Mat Barzal ahead of the Isles playing the Capitals at Capital One Arena.