Capitals Overtime

Dump 'n Chase - 30 Thoughts [LINK]

After breakdown day yesterday, Washington Capitals senior writer Mike Vogel did a breakdown of his own. Vogel talks about 30 “Caps-centric items” that came to mind as he reflected on the season with players and colleagues yesterday afternoon on and off the camera. Everything from who’s players were better in Round 2 of the Stanley Cup playoffs to what to expect in the offseason can be found in his “30 Thoughts.” This is a must read article for Caps fans who need answers to put the 2011-12 season in the books.

The Washington Post - Hard-working Matt Hendricks's Impact On Capitals Goes Beyond The Scoresheet [LINK]

Washington Capitals forward Matt Hendricks may have just a single goal and an assist in 13 games during this postseason, but his contributions are far more than merely tallying points for the team. Hendricks has 57 hits during the 2012 Stanley Cup playoff run - that’s three more than Caps captain Alex Ovechkin. He also owns the top faceoff percentage of anyone on the team who regularly takes draws (57.4 percent) and is 10th best in the league of players who’ve taken at least 100 faceoffs.

After being charged with the losing draw that led to the Rangers overtime goal in Monday’s Game 5, Hendricks bounced back with a strong performance in Game 6. He skated 18:17 minutes, had four hits and won nine of his 16 faceoffs.

Hendricks has also worked to be in the spot he’s now in today. He didn’t become a regular player until the 2009-10 season with the Colorado Avalanche, nine years after originally being drafted in the fifth round. Hendricks also didn’t sign his first multiyear NHL contract until February 2011.

Dump 'n Chase - On Clichés And Redemption [LINK]

A good ready by Caps senior writer Mike Vogel on what he believes should be the focus of Washington’s 3-2 overtime loss last night to the New York Rangers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The Washington Post - 2012 NHL playoffs: Alex Ovechkin Helps Capitals Get Even With Rangers [LINK]

Despite playing less, Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin came up big when his teammates needed him. With the game locked at two goals apiece, Ovechkin shot a laser through several screens at 7:27 of the third period, which became the eventual game-winner. That game-winning goal sent the series back to Washington at an even 1-1 series.

Mike Knuble and Jason Chimera also had goals and netminder Braden Holtby made 26 saves in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

While Ovechkin faced questions about his ice time from the media, he answered by saying the most important thing right now is to “just win the series and win the game.” He also said he wants to win and will do whatever it takes to come out with that such outcome.

Despite Ovechkin’s reduction in ice time though, Hunter said not many could come out and score a goal like Ovechkin did last night. In his 4:22 of time on the ice in the final frame, Ovechkin recorded four shots on net including the game-winning tally.

Dump 'n Chase - Caps In Familiar Spot [LINK]

Caps captain Alex Ovechkin is without a point in consecutive contests for the first time in his 45-game Stanley Cup playoff career. In eight games of the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs, Ovechkin has had five points (two goals, three assists).

Washington has now dropped six straight second-round Stanley Cup games. In four of those losses, the Caps had two or fewer tallies.

To get to the next round, the Caps must figure out a way to score on the more elite goaltenders of the league. The Rangers too, have not advanced to the third round of the Stanley Cup playoffs since 1997, that’s one year longer than the last time that Washington advanced to the Eastern Conference finals (1998).