Washington Capitals' star forward Alex Ovechkin has had a slow start in the team's first-round playoff series against the New York Rangers, managing just one shot on goal in the first two games. The Capitals find themselves trailing 2-0 in the series, with Game 3 set to take place at home on Friday night.
Coach Spencer Carbery acknowledged Ovechkin's struggles, noting that the veteran player appears to be a bit off his usual form. Ovechkin himself admitted to the need to settle down and focus on creating opportunities for his linemates, emphasizing the importance of playing physical and creating open space on the ice.
Despite his slow start, Ovechkin remains optimistic and stressed the need for patience in finding shooting lanes against Rangers' goaltender Igor Shesterkin, who has been solid in net so far. Carbery emphasized the importance of Ovechkin getting to the inside and changing his shot angles to avoid defenders blocking his attempts.
The Capitals are looking to get Ovechkin more involved in scoring positions to capitalize on his goal-scoring prowess, especially after a slow start to the season where he scored just eight goals in his first 43 games. With Ovechkin's track record of success in the playoffs, teammates and coaches remain confident that he will step up when it matters most.
Ovechkin, who ranks second in NHL history in regular-season goals behind Wayne Gretzky, has a history of delivering in crucial moments. With 72 playoff goals to his name, he is just one goal shy of tying Joe Pavelski for the most among active players.
As the Capitals look to bounce back in the series, all eyes will be on Ovechkin to lead the charge and help his team claw back against the top-seeded Rangers. With his experience and scoring ability, Ovechkin remains a key factor in Washington's quest for playoff success.
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