'Struggling' Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is hoping patience pays off soon against the Rangers
Alex Ovechkin has just one shot on goal through two games of the Washington Capitals’ first-round playoff series against the New York Rangers, which they trail 2-0
ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Alex Ovechkin has just one shot on goal through the first two games of the Washington Capitals' first-round playoff series against the New York Rangers, which they trail 2-0.
Coach Spencer Carbery acknowledged after the Game 2 loss this week that Ovechkin is “struggling” and looks a bit off. The Capitals need production out of the No. 2 goal-scorer in NHL history, among other things, to get back in the series against the league's best team from the regular season. Game 3 is at home Friday night.
“I think it's just settle down a little bit,” Ovechkin said Thursday. "Not good, but sometimes you just have to do what you can do out there: play physical, try to create open space for your linemates. But we’re all in the same boat. We all have to play better if we want to get success.”
Ovechkin's lowest shot total through the first two games of a series before now was four (2012 vs. Boston) and five in the 2018 Stanley Cup Final against Vegas. Washington went on to win each series.
