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Video: Mike Keenan takes Ovechkin to task

Alexander Ovechkin

Washington Capitals’ Alexander Ovechkin maneuvers the pucks during the second period of an NHL hockey game with the Philadelphia Flyers Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)

AP

A funny thing happened tonight in Washington. When the Washington Capitals needed a goal to tie the game against the Anaheim Ducks, coach Bruce Boudreau picked the six guys on his bench that he thought gave him the best opportunity to score the tying goal.

Alex Ovechkin was not one of those players.

Asked why, Boudreau was to the point with his explanation. “I thought other guys were better than him,” Boudreau said. “It was just a chance that other guys might score the goal. I have to put out the guys who I think are going to score the goal and 99% of the time, Alex is the guy I think is going to score the goal—I just didn’t think he was going to get the goal at that time tonight. You go with your gut feeling.”

After the game, Versus analyst (and former head coach) Mike Keenan shared his thoughts on Ovechkin’s benching at the end of the game. Harsh words indeed: