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Washington Capitals: Alex Ovechkin can define his legacy in Game 7

By Dave Stevenson

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 21: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals reacts in the second period against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena on May 21, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 21: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals reacts in the second period against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena on May 21, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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Facing another Game 7, Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin can give his legacy a huge boost

Entering the Stanley Cup Playoffs 2018, very few people thought the Washington Capitals would make it to the Eastern Conference Final. They failed to do so the previous two seasons with better, more skilled teams. However, team captain Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals have proven everyone wrong.

In the first round, the Caps overcame a 2-0 series deficit by winning the next four games. After this, they faced the Pittsburgh Penguins, who eliminated them in each of the past two seasons. Despite not having Tom Wilson, Nicklas Backstrom, or Andre Burakovsky in the lineup in Game 6, the Capitals exorcised their second-largest postseason demon.

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Now it’s time for Ovechkin and the Caps to exorcise their largest one – Game 7. Wednesday’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning could be a defining one for the captain and the franchise. For years, they’ve been known for falling short in the postseason. A win in Tampa would allow them to rewrite that narrative.

Ovechkin’s Legacy

The Capitals captain already has a pretty impressive legacy. Ovechkin is this generation’s top goal scorer and is one of the greatest of all-time. He was recently placed on the NHL’s list of top 100 players of all-time.

However, he has yet to lead his team to the Stanley Cup Final. It’s probably not fair, but captains are judged by how they lead.

Ovechkin’s performance so far in the postseason has silenced most of his critics. A win in Game 7 would silence all of them. Ovechkin has been leading in many ways even when he hasn’t been showing up on the scoresheet. Game 6 is a terrific example. While Ovechkin didn’t score any goals or pick up any assists, he set the tone with his relentless physical play.

He’s been a huge part of the Caps’ previous two clinching games. Against the Blue Jackets, Ovechkin scored two goals. His defensive awareness and pass up the ice led to Evgeny Kuznetsov’s series-clinching overtime goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

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Ovechkin’s legacy would look a lot better with a Stanley Cup Final appearance (and even better with a Stanley Cup). The Capitals and their captain look to prove everyone wrong one more time on Wednesday night.

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