Washington Hockey Insider has no direct affiliation to the Washington Capitals, NHL or NHLPA
Washington Capitals cutting back Alexander Ovechkin's minutes in crucial playoff moments
The Washington Capitals are coming off an epic 3-1 Game 2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in the NHL playoffs. Still, new stats reveal captain Alexander Ovechkin is experiencing limited ice time in crucial moments of the game.
While Alexander Ovechkin has made a living in the late stages of the game, leading the NHL in empty net goals, it appears that head coach Spencer Carbery is no longer relying on his captain to close out important matches.
During last night's postgame broadcast, ESPN pointed out that Alexander Ovechkin did not play the final five minutes - a strategic change that has developed over the playoffs.
Alexander Ovechkin no longer finishing games in NHL playoffs
R1G2: Came off ice with 4:15 left
R1G4: Came off ice with 3:37 left
R1G5: Came off ice with 3:35 left
R2G2: Came off ice with 5:42 left
R1G4: Came off ice with 3:37 left
R1G5: Came off ice with 3:35 left
R2G2: Came off ice with 5:42 left
According to RMNB, with the 39-year-old legend no longer closing out games and the team averaging only 2.57 power plays per game, Ovechkin's average ice time has taken a hit in the postseason.
Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery instead relied heavily on the team's defensive-minded second and fourth lines - McMichael-Dubois-Wilson and Duhaime-Dowd-Protas - to close things out, continuing a change he made in the postseason.
-RMNB
-RMNB
At 39 years of age, it's no secret that Alexander Ovechkin doesn't play with the same speed we've seen in previous years.
This series against the Carolina Hurricanes has been played at a blistering pace, and it's clear Washington Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery is leaning on his more defensive-minded players to close out games.
While Alex Ovechkin will always be recognized as the greatest goal scorer of all time, Carbery's tactical adjustments are paying dividends by using Ovechkin more selectively.
There's also an upside to this approach - if the Capitals make a deep playoff run, Ovechkin should have plenty left in the tank to make a big impact offensively when it matters most.
More details to follow.
| POLL | ||
MAI 9 | 34 ANSWERS Washington Capitals cutting back Alexander Ovechkin's minutes in crucial playoff moments Do you agree with the Washington Capitals decision to bench Alexander Ovechkin in late stages of the game? | ||
| Yes | 31 | 91.2 % |
| No | 3 | 8.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
