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Capitals need more from their veterans to stand a chance against the Hurricanes
Photo credit: NHL.com
In a familiar storyline, the Washington Capitals will once again look to longtime cornerstones Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson to step up in a major way as they head into the Eastern Conference Second Round.
The veteran forward and Capitals captain has been notably quiet on the power play, registering just one shot on goal across 11:36 of power-play time.
Ovechkin needs to perform better if the Capitals want to stand a chance against the Hurricanes.
Dan Rosen from NHL.com writes that while Capitals veteran defenseman John Carlson delivered a game-winning power-play goal in Game 2, his defensive lapses were costly in Game 3, as he was beaten on two scoring plays and was on the ice for all four goals in Washington's 4-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.
"I'm well aware of me and my game and what I'm capable of. I can be better. Just as the team will do, I'm looking forward to another chance [Monday] night. I know there's a lot of noise around that (his performance in Game 3), but I'm not worried about it." -Carlson
Ovechkin's lack of impact in the series appears to be a greater concern for the Capitals than Carlson's Game 3 struggles. It's more of a lack of consistent looks throughout the game says Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery.
"I think overall just his line, and Dylan Strome plays a big part in that. It's tough because they're a line that relies a lot on entries and creating off of entries, and you're just not going to get very many of those against the Carolina Hurricanes with their gap control and the length and size of their [defensemen]." -Carbery
Rosen also writes that this marks only the second time this season that Ovechkin has been held pointless in three straight games (the last stretch came from Jan. 6-10). He hasn't gone four games without a goal all year, offering hope that he'll break through in Game 4, possibly giving the Capitals the spark they need to even the series.
"In these games, you have one game where you make a difference offensively and it could be the difference in the series. That's the mindset those guys need to have and will have is you can change a series in one game. A huge offensive it's not going to happen every game in the playoffs." -Carbery
The Hurricanes lead the best-of-seven series 2-1. Game 4 is set for Monday night at 7:00pm in Carolina.
| POLL | ||
MAI 11 | 22 ANSWERS Capitals need more from their veterans to stand a chance against the Hurricanes Do you think Ovechkin will bounce back for the Capitals in Game 4 on Monday night? | ||
| yes | 14 | 63.6 % |
| no | 8 | 36.4 % |
| List of polls | ||