Ovie is on fire for the determined Capitals
Every goal he scores is a step closer to an elusive Cup win
WASHINGTON — Alex Ovechkin seems to be celebrating every Washington Capitals goal as if it is the most important tally in franchise history.
Maybe at this point, each Washington goal is that momentous.
Ovechkin scored his 14th goal of the National Hockey League playoffs and linemate Evgeny Kuznetsov registered a goal and an assist to spark the Capitals to a 3-1 win against the Vegas Golden Knights and a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Stanley Cup final Saturday night.
“(Ovechkin) is on another level (but) he’s always been a brash celebrator,” Washington defenceman John Carlson said. “He’s engaged as anyone can ever be. It shows in his game and the effect that it has on the rest of us.”
On this night, Ovechkin had 10 shots at the net, five shots on goal, two hits and two blocked shots. “I think in the last couple of games he set the tone,” Washington coach Barry Trotz said.
Everyone in the Greater Washington area had an understanding of how important this game was in determining how this series will play out, but Ovechkin’s understanding was deeper than anyone’s. He’s been with the Capitals since 2005 and he’s not been beyond the second round until this season.
This is the first time the Capitals have ever won a Stanley Cup final game at home, and Ovechkin’s enthusiasm is apparent.
You wonder if he’s hurting the teammates he bear hugs.
Trotz noted that Ovechkin is playing with intensity, physicality, skill and purpose, and when he’s playing like that “the whole team is going to follow him.”
With an electric atmosphere coursing through Capital One Arena, Ovechkin gave the Capitals a 1-0 lead 1:10 into the second period with a remarkable backhander as he was falling to ice.
“It kind of looked like his 600th goal — it reminded me a lot of that one,” Carlson said.
But this goal is far more important because it is moving the Capitals closer to a Stanley Cup. Everyone is talking about the Vegas passion, but the D.C. area is also burning with Stanley Cup fever. Streets were packed outside the arena with fans as the game was going on.
“There’s a lot of pride in the D.C. area,” Trotz said.
Ovechkin’s sidekick on his superhero night was Kuznetsov, whose appearance in Game 3 was a game-time decision. He missed most of Game 2 after being pulverized by a heavy hit by Vegas defenceman Brayden McNabb.
He didn’t show any discomfort as he ripped a shot past goalie Marc-Andre Fleury in the second period to give Washington a 2-0 lead.
“(Kuznetsov) has been great the past couple of seasons,” Carlson said. “He’s one of the most dynamic players, and he can take over the league if he wants to. He’s that talented and sees the game better than everyone else.”
Kuznetsov leads all playoff scorers with 27 points.
But the Capitals are counting wins, not goals and points. Anyone who is watching the Capitals can see how driven Ovechkin is to make this championship happen. He knows he has to show teammates what must be done to win it all. After 13 years, he seems to have figured out the Capitals’ path to success.
That’s why he is celebrating each goal with gusto. He can see his team inching closer to an objective that has always been out of reach. He’s reacting with honest emotion, a release earned by too many years of frustrating results.
“It’s just automatic,” he said.