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Capitals desperately need Alex Ovechkin to break out of scoring slump
Through three games in their second-round series with the Carolina Hurricanes, Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals are in trouble.
The Hurricanes now own a 2-1 series edge after blanking Washington 4-0 on Saturday. The Capitals only have one combined goal in their two losses to Carolina, and Ovechkin has failed to register a single point.
While it's true that great players can still impact a game even without scoring, the Capitals desperately need their captain to catch fire. After scoring four goals, including the first playoff overtime game-winner of his career during Washington's five-game series win over Montreal, Ovechkin hasn't been able to take over any of the games against Carolina.
It's not like Ovechkin has struggled to get shots off either. He tallied four shots in game 3 and has eight so far in the series. But despite his ability to get pucks at the net, the NHL's all-time leading scorer has failed to even record an assist in the series.
With Ovechkin's second-round scoring drought on display, Carolina has outscored Washington 7-4 through three games.
In all likelihood, Ovechkin will eventually break out of his slump. He has 76 career postseason goals and 146 points in 159 playoff games.
But for the Capitals' sake and if Ovechkin hopes to have a legitimate shot at capturing his second Stanley Cup, he has to get on the board on Monday night. Regardless of Ovechkin's advanced age, the Capitals' offense is still built around him.
And building around Ovechkin has still worked for the most part. Ovechkin scored 44 goals and totaled 73 points in just 65 games throughout the 2024-25 regular season.
Washington finished the year as the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed thanks to their 51-22-9 overall record and 111 team points. Ovechkin was even a +15 for the season, surprisingly the first time since the 2021-22 season he was on the right side of the +/- category on average.
Washington's next closest goal scorer behind Ovechkin during the regular season was Tom Wilson with 33. Ovechkin was also one of only two Capitals to surpass 70 total points.
Simply put, the Capitals need their legendary captain now more than ever, especially with another road game on top and a 3-1 series deficit likely insurmountable.
Game 4 between the Capitals and Hurricanes will take place on Monday night. The puck is set to drop from PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina, at 7:00 p.m. ET.
More must-reads:
- Frederik Andersen's shutout gains Canes Game 3 win over Caps
- Watch: Hurricanes' Andrei Svechnikov breaks scoreless tie in Game 3 vs. Capitals
- The 'Most career goals in the Stanley Cup Playoffs' quiz
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