Alex Ovechkin got just 3:33 minutes of playing time in the first period of Monday’s contest. It looked like another low point in what has been a downward march for Ovechkin - and maybe it was.
Maybe Ovechkin’s game-winning goal in the third period will mark a turning point for him. Although that will at least partially depend on the role Capitals coach Dale Hunter has in mind for him going forward. Ovechkin still ended up with just 13:36 minutes of ice time and his role in Game 3 should be telling.
For now though, he’s their hero once more.
“He’s our big-game guy,” Mike Knuble said, who also had a major impact with the first goal of the game despite only logging 9:49 minutes.
Ovechkin hasn’t been their big game guy for most of the Capitals’ playoff run, but putting the Capitals’ ahead 3-2 on Monday was certainly a great start.