Capitals Send Message on Alex Ovechkin Injury Concern Before Game 3
The Washington Capitals evened out the series against the Carolina Hurricanes following a 3-1 victory in Game 2 of the second-round playoff series.
Following an overall embarrassing effort in Game 1, Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery is proud of how the team turned things around.
"The way that we played and some adjustments we made, I feel like we’re getting there,” Carter told reporters. “Guys can feel it, we’re getting a little more confident. We feel like we can punch back and we feel like we’re right there in [Game 2].
"And now it’s about sustaining it and being able to protect the lead and all the different stuff."
One of the concerns for Washington as they travel to the Lenovo Center for Game 3 on Saturday, that status of superstar Alex Ovechkin.
Ovechkin, who broke Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record during the regular season, was pulled from Game 2 with 5:40 left in the third period. Considering Ovechkin is also the NHL leader in empty-net goals, the decision turned some heads.
The 39-year-old was also pulled early during Game 1, 2, and 5 of the first-round against the Montreal Canadiens, causing fans to voice concern over the Great 8's health.
One fan wrote, "He hasn’t been as physical as in the first series. I think something is going on with his health." Another person posted, "I feel like he might have something nagging. Hasn’t seemed to have the same burst but not bad."
However, Carbery shut down these rumors before Game 3 against Carolina. "He's fine. It's just protecting a lead late," Carbery answered. "He's fine."
As for Ovechkin spending less time on the ice, it likely has more to do with this particular matchup being such a defensive series. Resting Ovechkin for when he's truly needed seems to be a smart move.
NHL's Tom Gulitti posted, "The first two games of this series are the first time Ovechkin has gone consecutive games without scoring a goal since March 11 & 13 at Anaheim and Los Angeles -- a span of 21 games."
However, Ovechkin who's scored four goals in seven playoff games thus far, remains the team's top scorer, tied with Connor McMichael.
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