The leader of the attacks of “Washington” Alexander Ovechkin adequately spent the regular season, noticeably approaching the record of performance of Wayne Gretzky. But when it came to the playoffs, the Russian hockey player, as often happened in his career, slowed down.

Another failure in the relegation matches greatly upset Ovi. He did not hesitate in expressions and voiced his list of those responsible for this failure.

Later, the fans joined in the criticism of the team. Don’t trust the Capitals anymore?

The situation is so-so

— We played against the best regular season team. The series was in our hands, but we gave it away. We are to blame. Me, Becky, Oshie, Carly – everyone is to blame, – with these words Alexander Ovechkin tried to explain the failure of “Washington” at a press conference.

The Russian ended the tirade with the words “fucked up situation”, which in the censored version can be translated as “the situation is so-so”. It hurt to look at Ovi at that moment. The Capitals’ offensive leader, who scored just one goal in a six-game streak, simply didn’t have a face.

For Alexander, the season is already over, and this time the hockey player will not be able to rehabilitate himself at the World Championships. Is it any wonder that after a promising campaign ended in this way, the striker did not restrain himself in terms and swore publicly?

Photo: © REUTERS/Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Here it is necessary to recall Ovechkin’s relationship with the playoff draw. One of the most successful NHL hockey players of our time, only once in his long overseas career made it to the Stanley Cup. Quite often, Washington and its leader, confidently moving through the regular season, finished the playoffs after the first round. This can explain the relatively frequent entry of Ovi into the world championships, three of which the athlete managed to win, nine more to complete with medals.

Four years have passed since Ovechkin’s long-awaited Stanley Cup victory for the Capitals, and since then a new trophy has not even appeared on the horizon. In the 2018/19 season, Washington lost to Carolina in the first round of the playoffs; a year later, the New York Islanders became an insurmountable obstacle at the same stage. Last season, the capital club in the 1/8 finals did not cope with Boston. Now Peter Laviolette’s squad, having started the series with a victory, lost to the Florida Panthers. Ovechkin’s team seemed to be bewitched!

“We screwed up again”

Washington fans, after another failure of their favorites, also did not hold back their emotions on social networks, scolding the coach and players. Ovi was not the main target for angry hockey fans, but still received his portion of reproaches.

“I was yelling at the TV for the whole third period and overtime. What the hell does he need to wake up? – OneDandyMF was indignant. – I adore this man. He is a machine. But when I see how he stands motionless in the attack zone, I get furious, ”Usernametaken1458 shared his feelings.

Many fans of the team have not forgotten that Ovechkin in the NHL has no less important business left than the next Stanley Cup. That, however, did not prevent them from looking cautiously into the near future.

“Apart from chasing Gretzky, the next couple of seasons are going to suck,” Megumi-Noda gave his prediction.

“The next four years will be terrible… But Ovi has a record,” wrote Haul_o_GRam.

“I’m upset that we screwed up again in the first round, but I hope I can see Ovi catch up with Gretzky. For me it will be as valuable as winning the Cup. I was among the eyewitnesses of his first game in the NHL, I want to see how he becomes a legend, – said the user with the nickname Theshangbang.