Alex Ovechkin is not going to win the Stanley Cup this year.
NHL playoff scores 2016: Penguins send Alex Ovechkin, Capitals packing early again
A Pittsburgh win in Game 6 issued another playoff disappointment for the Capitals.
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
And for once, it feels like very few people will clamor to place any blame on him.
By all means, the fodder is there if you want to look for it. If two goals in six playoff games isn't up to your Ovechkin standards, an argument could be made that he didn't do enough. Or something.
But expect more expressions of pity Wednesday as the reality of another Capitals playoff exit settles in. Thanks to two goals by Phil Kessel and 36 saves by rookie goalie Matt Murray, the Pittsburgh Penguins survived a potential Game 6 collapse to win in overtime and eliminate the Caps. Pittsburgh, and world-class captain Sidney Crosby, advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2013.
And Ovechkin and the Capitals will spend another summer wondering if a decade and more of success with the best player in a generation will ever pay off with the ultimate hockey prize.
Scores
Penguins 4, Capitals 3 (OT)
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3 things we learned
1. Phil Kessel might win the Conn Smythe
The Penguins acquired Kessel as a complimentary set-piece to Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby. Instead, he's now leading all Penguins in points as they head into the conference finals. Without his two goals to open Game 6, his team doesn't survive the three straight delay of game penalties late in the third period. He's been as vital as any player on any remaining playoff team.
2. The Capitals are left with plenty of questions
This was their year. The Capitals acquired T.J. Oshie and Justin Williams. Braden Holtby had a career year. They paced the league in points. And they fell well short of their playoff goals yet again. Is that an indication of systemic problems? Or did they just run up against a red-hot team at the worst time? The next few months are going to be spent searching for those answers.
3. Washington’s loss syncs up perfectly to “Mad World”
;) ;) ;) pic.twitter.com/LgFMQYqvkn
— AOL KEYWORD: Mike (@mikeFAIL) May 11, 2016
Impact Moments
Both of the impact moments are positive for the Capitals. And they still lost!
The first is the fact the Penguins took three straight delay of game penalties to blow their lead late.
And if the Capitals had won Game 6, this play by Jay Beagle would have become legend.
Tweets from Tony
Remember Tony, AKA @soloucity on Twitter, who fell in love with hockey during the Blues/Blackhawks Game 7? We're dedicating a section in our recaps to the gems of his Twitter account during the playoffs.
Tony learned what the most dangerous lead in hockey is.
That damn 3-1 lead its true.
— Tony X. (@soIoucity) May 11, 2016
Stat of the Night
The Capitals have not advanced past the second round since 1998, including all 11 years that Ovechkin has spent with the franchise.
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