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Ovechkin’s defense under the microscope...again

Ovechkin on Stepan

After Game 3, it was the way he defended (or didn’t defend) Ryan McDonagh at the point prior to the Rangers’ game-winner by Derek Stepan.

Now, after Game 4, it was his effort (or lack thereof) in trying to stop Stepan’s second game-winner in a row.

Following is the goal. You decide if Alex Ovechkin’s defensive play deserves to be ridiculed this morning on Deadspin.

It doesn’t look good, especially in GIF form.

Derek Stepan goal Capitals/Rangers 5/8/2013 - Created at yt2gif.com

But Capitals blog Russian Machine Never Breaks puts the blame on the other Caps on the ice, calling Ovechkin’s late straight-legged appearance a “bad visual, but that’s all.”

Ovechkin’s a winger, so Stepan -- a center -- wouldn’t normally be his responsibility. (Wingers take the point men.)

And perhaps Ovechkin figured he was way too late to get to Stepan anyway. Which he probably was.

And hey, at least he got a great view of an exciting moment.

At any rate, Game 5 of the series -- which is now tied at two games apiece -- goes Friday in Washington.