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Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin Has No Points In An NHL Playoff Series For The First Time

Capitals' Alex Ovechkin Has No Points In An NHL Playoff Series For The First Time - GlobalCurrent24.com

International News Regarding Alex Ovechkin – Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin Has No Points In An NHL Playoff Series For The First Time

Alex Ovechkin, in addition to being the second-most prolific goalscorer in NHL history during the regular season, has consistently produced points per game in the playoffs throughout his career, despite criticism that plagued him before to winning the Stanley Cup in 2018.

For the first time in a playoff series, Ovechkin went without a goal or an assist and had only five shots on goal as the Washington Capitals were swept in the first round by the New York Rangers.

“I didn’t play well,” Ovechkin admitted after losing Game 4 on Sunday night. “I don’t have those types of touches. I try to find a different approach to get the puck in.

None of it worked, whether on the power play or at 5 on 5. His greatest chance came in Game 4 with the puck on his stick just outside the crease, but New York’s Vincent Trocheck deflected it, and Ovechkin was largely ineffective the rest of the way.

“He’s been doing it for so long,” Trocheck added. “He’s arguably one of the best, if not the best, goalscorers of all time, and you should pay closer attention to him on the penalty kill. And this cannot be simple for him. We’re obviously really focused on him, so there’s no chance at him. He’s an excellent hockey player, and we’re just a little bit more focused on him.”

That focus paid off, even if Rangers winger Artemi Panarin admitted “it’s a secret” how he and his teammates shut down Ovechkin to advance to the second round. Suffocating defense made life difficult for the 38-year-old Russian great, and Igor Shesterkin didn’t have much to do on his own against his countryman.

“The defense was awesome,” Shesterkin added. “All four games, they play in front of him and didn’t let him do anything.” Capital Games covers all Washington-area sports.

Washington was back in the playoffs after missing out last year, and with an aging core, it’s not unreasonable to speculate that this might have been Ovechkin’s final opportunity to participate in the NHL playoffs.