Alexander...Still The Great 8?

You never want to say you hope a player was playing hurt.  But, that would at least explain the poor play from an otherwise great player.  In this case, that great player would be Washington Capitals' captain, Alexander Ovechkin.  One of the best pure goal scorers to ever play in the NHL, and named one of the top 100 players in the league's history during the All-Star weekend in Los Angeles this past year.  Ovechkin was barely noticeable in game 7 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, which they lost 2-0.  Today, it was announced that he was playing with a lower body injury, though no details as to when he got hurt was released.

The Capitals lack of playoff success, failing to move past the second round, again, can't all be blamed on Ovechkin.  Fair or not, though, as the captain and best player on the team, lots of blame is heaped on his shoulders.  And, it is, in some ways, deserved.  Not every great player who plays sports will win a championship, but their legacy doesn't quite have the same luster of another player who has even just one title to their name.  At some point, Ovechkin has to put this team on his back and get it to the next round, since nobody else seemed willing to do it.

So, what happens now?  Before it was found out that Ovechkin was hurt, I was beginning to think (probably others, too) that the Capitals should actually trade him, or at least consider it.  That would have been unthinkable just a year ago, but another failed playoff run changes everything.  Even as we find about Ovechkin playing hurt, I'm still inclined to consider moving the 3 time MVP.  He finished the regular season with only 33 goals and 69 points, his worst offensive season in a non-lockout year since 2011-12 when he had 38 goals and 65 points.  He bounced back then, recording three straight 50+ goal seasons prior to this year.  Will he next season when he turns 32?

Over the years, the Capitals have made changes.  Brian MacLellan took over as GM in 2014 after current Vegas Golden Knights GM, George McPhee, had his contract expired.  Barry Trotz became the head coach in the same year.  They have added and subtracted players, some with playoff success like Justin Williams, who has his name on the Stanley Cup 3 times.  At 35, he may not be back as his contract expires July 1.

The team can continue to move forward with the majority of this group, again trying to add another Williams type player or two.  After all, it did win the President's trophy as the league's best during the regular season.  They didn't do that feeding off the weak no longer existing Southeast Division, either.  Maybe, next year could be the year with this group.

Then, there is blowing it up.  Maybe not completely, but perhaps making a major move and trading one of their top players.  That could be Ovechkin or maybe Nicklas Backstrom.  The Swedish center didn't do much against Pittsburgh, either, and unlike Ovechkin, we haven't heard if he was hurt or not.

Either way, it will be an interesting summer for the Capitals.

Penguins Deliever Capital Punishment To Washington

The Washington Capitals had momentum going into game 7 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, having won games 5 and 6 whilst staring at elimination in the face.  What they didn't have was history on their side.  In its 43 year history in the NHL, the team has only reached the conference finals twice.  Once in 1990, where they were swept by the Boston Bruins, then again in 1998, making a surprising run to the Stanley Cup Final, only to be brushed aside by the Detroit Red Wings in 4 games.  2017 would be no different, as the team lost to the defending champions 2-0 at home in the Verizon Center.

Marc-Andre Fleury, the somewhat forgotten man when the 2016-17 season began, was much better than he was in game 6.  He was lucky, too, with the Caps hitting the posts on a couple of occasions.  But, he earned those posts, stopping 29 shots in recording his 9th career playoff shutout.  If the Penguins go onto repeat as Stanley Cup Champions, the Conn Smythe just might have to awarded not to any player, but Pittsburgh GM Jim Rutherford, who chose not to trade Fleury, keeping him in case of an emergency, which popped up in the very first game of the playoffs when Matt Murrary got hurt during the warmup.  The man who took Fleury's job was back on the bench tonight.

Bryan Rust scored the game winner in the 2nd period, converting a pass from Jake Guentzel right in front of the net.  Sidney Crosby, who according to many, didn't look exactly like himself in game 6, got the other assist on the goal.  He looked much better on this night. 

Patrick Hornqvist scored the other goal in the final frame.  It was a strange backhander that seem to surprise Capitals' starter, Braden Holtby.  It was the knockout punch, as Washington didn't seem to have much of a push back after that, even though there was still time to come back. 

Where was Alex Ovechkin, will be one of the questions people will be asking after tonight?  The Capitals star and captain was only noticeable on this night when he got put onto his behind by Pittsburgh defenseman, Brian Dumoulin, just moments before Rust scored.  Fair or not, his legacy was at stake heading into the series.  He sure didn't play like it.  There were others who didn't show up at various times in this series, but again, he's the star and captain.  He's at least got to go down with the ship fighting.  He didn't even do that.

There have been changes in management and behind the bench.  Some players have come and gone.  Now, what?