The whole world saw Ovechkin’s misfortune in the NHL playoffs. I’m saddened to tears for the legend

The New York Rangers won two confident victories over Washington at home. Many experts believed that there would be no intrigue in this pair, and the series would end after the fourth match. However, some remembered the last playoffs, when the Blueshirts beat New Jersey twice, but did not advance to the next round.

The players of Peter Laviolette’s team still remember this failure and promised that last year’s story would not repeat itself with the Capitals.

“Everything became different in the locker room. We know what we need to do, how we need to play. We’re a year older and I would say a little more organized,” forward Jimmy Vesey said.

It is unknown whether Spencer Carbery sought advice from Lindy Ruff, who led the Devils last year, but the Washington coach made changes to the lineup before Game 3. Carbury announced Ivan Miroshnichenko, sending Nicholas Aube-Kubel to rest. For 20-year-old Miroshnichenko, this is his debut in the NHL playoffs. The young Russian had to charge his teammates with emotions and add aggression to the Capitals’ game.

However, changes in the lineup did not help Washington. The Rangers won on the road and are now one step away from advancing to the next round.

Ovechkin’s total bad luck

The Rangers started the away game actively and created several dangerous chances in the first shifts. Moreover, the Blueshirts locked the opponent in the zone, not allowing the Capitals players to raise their heads. Such a vigorous start had only one drawback – Igor Shesterkin managed to freeze and lose concentration. John Carlson took advantage of this. In the sixth minute, Washington’s defender made a frankly weak shot almost from the blue line, which looked more like a throw-up. However, Shesterkin slept through this moment and missed an offensive goal.

Teammates supported the goalkeeper and already in the next shift, the Rangers hit Charlie Lindgren’s goal: Chris Kreider successfully sent the puck into the net. Soon Washington gained the majority and the opportunity to take the lead again. However, the extra play for the hosts resulted in another missed goal.

After winning the throw-in, Ovechkin immediately threw towards the goal, but the puck hit the Rangers defender in the shield, and within seconds Vincent Trocheck and Barclay Goodrow carried out a counterattack in the 2-on-1 format. The Washington captain worked on defense, but was unable to stop his opponents – 2:1.

Alexander Ovechkin / Photo: © Scott Taetsch / Contributor / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

Midway through the period, the Capitals gained another power play at great cost. Matt Rempe slammed Trevor Van Riemsdyk hard into the boards and injured him – a serious loss for the capital. This is the fourth defender who has been injured since the beginning of the month. Rasmus Sandin, Nick Jensen, Vincent Iorio – all of them cannot help Washington in the first round.

The Capitals almost managed to punish the opponent in a sportsmanlike manner: after Ovechkin’s throw, a struggle began on the spot and several finishing moves followed, but Shesterkin coped with his job. At the end of the period, Washington had another opportunity to tie the game: Max Pacioretty shot from close range, but the Rangers’ goaltender knocked the puck away.

In the second period, the guests controlled the game and in the 36th minute they again lit the red light over Lindgren’s goal: Vincent Trocheck converted the power play – 3:1. At the same time, Washington created dangerous moments, but Shesterkin stopped the opponent’s shots over and over again.

Tom Wilson decided to turn the game around 180 degrees by challenging Rempe to a fight. However, the Canadian refused to fight his compatriot. Tried to avenge Riemsdyke and Miroshnichenko. At the beginning of the third period, the Russian slammed Rempe into the boards with such force that the protective fence broke.

This episode had a positive impact on Washington: Carbery’s team increased their momentum and tried with all their might to save the meeting. The Rangers’ two ejections in a row could have been the turning point, but the Capitals didn’t surprise Shesterkin. In total, the capital’s players unsuccessfully played the odd man out six times.

A minute before the final siren, Carbery replaced Lindgren with the sixth fielder, and Washington went to storm the goal. However, the guests survived and achieved their third victory in a row. Already in the next match, the Rangers can earn a ticket to the second round.

As for Ovechkin, the home captain desperately tried to change the course of the series. The Russian shot on target three times and performed four power moves. The forward did not score any points, but he was not without another achievement: Alexander caught up with Igor Larionov (150) in career matches in the NHL playoffs.