Alexander (the great) Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals are finally headed to the playoffs clinching the Southeast Division with a 3-1 win over the Florida Panthers, the first division title since 2000-01. The Capitals went 11-1 (7-0 down the stretch) in the final 12 games of the regular season to knock Carolina out of the playoffs.
The season looked hopeful when the Caps got off to a 3-0 start, but significantly dropped off with a following 3-14-1 streak. The Capitals then brought in Bruce Boudreau as an interim head coach. But something happened, he got the Capitals to elevate their play and coached them to a 37-17-7 record. If the Capitals had played a full season at the pace they were gaining points under Boudreau, they would be first in the Eastern Conference with 108 points.
No doubt Alexander Ovechkin is the Hart Trophy Winner as the league MVP. His 65 goals as a left wing set an NHL single season record and 112 points will secure the Art Ross Trophy (leagues leading point getter). That is of course unless Malkin racks up a 7 point game on Sunday.
Should Philadelphia lose to Pittsburgh today, the Capitals will play the Ottawa Senators in the first round, a team they swept 4-0 during the regular season. Bring on the playoffs!
more
