As a Caps fan, watching them play this season was like watching your old dog try to do tricks he use to be able to do but can't anymore.😭

Dude stood there for most of the game. Had zero gas in the tank when he was moving.

The Lindgren household will be tense for some time

Everyone predicted Caps would be the first team to get swept.

Ovechkin was an automatic man advantage for the Rangers.

Red Wings back in the playoffs when they were on fire those last few games against this Rangers team would have been so much fun to watch.

Penguins, Flyers, or Red Wings all would’ve been so much better. Playoff Crosby is a dude and so is Kane. Both have played great this year.

crazy,.. a team that had a large negative goal differential got swept... wild stuff. ...

def would rather sweep series and have a long break than have all game 6s and 7s. being rusty only matters in game 1, but being exhausted lasts you through the playoffs

The amount of times I saw Ovi gliding upright tells you all you need to know. No heart to turn it around - as a Rangers fan I am A-OK with it, but hate to see a series peter out. Felt like the Caps knew how this series would turn out after Game 2.

I see a lot of causes: 1. Yes, his age, less energy, but passion is not depend on age, look Crosby, Kopitar... 2. He`s simply injured or his body resists hard loads. 3. He just tired from regular season or tired from hockey at all but he MUST play to break the record. 4. He frustrated from Orlov, Kuzy, Backy lost. 5. It still hurts from father lost. We don`t know what exactly is happening, but It would be fair to everyone: owner, coaches, teammates, fans - tell us what`s going on? You can`t just walking around while your team is fighting in playoff. Sorry for my english, I`m russian and always supports Ovi, but i don`t like to see that.

Puck went up the boards Ovi didn't attempt to get it.

Ovi looked like he wanted to go back home

sad to see ovi play like this, especially in what could be his final playoff game ever

The Grey Eight is done.

You'd think the great 8 would go out with a bang. Nah, he's going out with a whimper and it's sad. It's like the family dog that should have been put down a year ago but you just keep it alive for your own greed. In this case Ovi's own greed.

this is not how ovi should be remembered, the sad thing is that the last impression for many is the most influential

Ranger fan here - I actually felt terrible for the Capitals and their fans watching Ovechkin completely take the series off. Ive never seen anything like it in my life. Half the time, besides not ever having his stick on the ice, he was standing completely straight up, instead of the crouch like everyone else on the ice is in during live play. Straight up like when the whistle is blown.

Everyone aside from Caps fans wanted the Caps in. Wings would have made it more competitive. The difference between the two teams is the Wings are actually better but lacked consistent goaltending. Caps are boring as all hell but had great goaltending. If given the chance, perhaps Alex Lyon shuts it down completely and lets the Wings go on a tear offensively and they maybe win the series or at least go to game 6 or 7 or something. This was pathetic.

I had Rangers in 5, didn't think this is how I would get my pick wrong lol

A number of things you said are simply wrong. 1) The team is not built around trying to get Ovechkin the scoring record. This season quite the opposite. They are a defense-only style that limits chances both ways and severely hampered Ovechkin's ability to score this year. 2) Ovechkin "doesn't care" because he's frustrated with the system. See 1). If you need a refresher on how much he cares about winning, go back and watch his Stanley Cup run and his antics before during and after. I watch your videos regularly. High quality. This one was very very hometown Rangers-y in your Ovechkin analysis (second only to Pittsbugh fans) but hey, we're all fans and the passion is awesome however you slice it. Cheers and good luck to NYR ... my pick to come out of the East this year.

I hope that Oshie has another season in him. even though he is well past his prime, he is such a great guy to watch

Totally agree that I would have liked to see Pitt, Detroit, or even Philly here instead of the worst goal differential team to make the playoffs. There was a 99% chance of a NYR sweep, no one is surprised at this.

Ovi had a rough year - his dad died last year, his best friend (Backstrom) saw his career end in a really sad and unexpected way (failed hip surgery), Kuznetsov's a mess and now he's gone. I predict he'll get back in the saddle next year and try to finish his career strong.

Go Rangers!

Convinced Ovi has long Covid

Been a Caps fan since the 70's. Ive lived through all the heartbreak this team has dished out over the years. Ovi and Backstrom shouldve taken home team discounts and left a few million each on the table for them to sign some other players. This GM has helped wreck this team

There's something wrong with Ovechkin's hips when he skates. He's moving them like an old guy walking at an old folks home.

Not enough credit being given to Laviolette (Ovi's former coach) and the Rangers for completely focusing on shutting down Ovi and daring anyone else on the Caps to beat them. Unsurprisingly, a team that only had two guys crack 20 goals this year couldn't generate offense when their best weapon was shut down.

Tom Wilson is done for the year. That's all that matters.

Ovi looked so passive, it was a shame to see. No effort at all. He did know they don`t have it. I guess that`s the last playoff game of Ovi. His only goal is to break Gretzkys alltime goal record, he`s 41 short. He`ll try to collect ENG and PP goals to make it in the 2 years he has left and then leaves. Still got 31 this season, which is crazy if you think about that he only had one hot streak.

I would take Crosby over Ovi any day!!!

It almost feels like Ovi is still playing to beat Gretzky’s goal record. It seems like he has no gas in the tank and can’t even do basic hockey skills. This feels like it’s way too much for him.

as a caps fan this team is just so sad to watch i went to game 3 while the caps would be trying to do a breakout ovi would just sit there offsides not doing anything and in the offensive zone he’s just standing there not trying to score and there basically playing 5 on 4 when ovi is in the defensive zone

I’m a Caps fan but that cup in 2018 has satisfied me for a while. I’d be more excited to see Ovi break the goal record (though obviously I’d love to have both) than to see us win another cup while he’s still playing.

I wanted to see that Rempe Wilson bout.

Shame they took the final wildcard. That was a tight race to the final WC for this to be the result.

Love the vids bro keep it up:)

You're right to bash Ovi for this series, but to be fair, post all star break he was like 4th or 5th in the league in goals and along with Lindgren, Strome, and Carlson basically dragged us into the playoffs. I more credit him for that than bash him for not being able to shine against the best team in the NHL at 38. I watched all the games the last half of the season and he was absolutley a positive out there most of the time once he started scoring.

The caps need to start preparing for the future. I’m proud of them cause no one gave us a chance 2 months ago but this team was so focused on Alex breaking Wayne’s record that it’s become the Alex show and the front office needs to see that. This series showed that the caps focused so much on it that it became a distraction. This team this year had the year and this offseason there are more questions than answers sadly 😫.

Ovi should retire… I mean if you’re not interested at all then why bother?

I'm thinking about two seasons ago where the Rangers ran out of gas against Tampa after back to back game 7 series against the Pens and Canes. I think having a little time in between this and the next series could be beneficial to all of them.

As a Caps fan, Ovechkin might have been hurt most of the season? Once he got some down time to heal (during the all star break), is when he started scoring. There were a few incidents in games toward the end of the season where he seemed to be struggling physically as if re-injured. As for his "not bringing anything to his team." He still scored over 30 goals (setting an NHL record ) had many assists and he delivered some big hits. The injuries are piling up no doubt, taking its toll on him. He's always played hurt, almost never takes a game off. That's remarkable being that the other team always zeroes in on him. While I agree his best years are behind him, whatever it takes to get him the record, should be done. Without him, the Capitals franchise doesn't stay in Washington! They were bleeding money under Abe Pollin. Ted Leonsis was trying to keep them afloat when he purchased the team. Winning the Ovechkin lottery was what saved the franchise. I've watched him all those years and never get tired of how excited he gets and how much kid like joy he provides, whether it's him or a teammate that scores. As I wrote, it might be that his best days are over, but Caps fans owe him everything!

Not a Red Wings fan but I like Patrick Kane as a long time Blackhawks fan so I root for whatever team my boy Kanes playing for if it isn't against Chicago. Its a real shame they went on that slump in March. This should have been Wings v Rangers. Red Wings would have at least made the series interesting. I could see the Wings winning if not bringing the series to 4-2 before losing to the Rangers. Waste of a playoff slot going to the Caps but points are points in the NHL and how you win them matters.

Ill never forget in 94, Messier said you take whatever time off you can because if you go on a deep run, your going to need it.

1:07 This is exactly why Crosby is the far better player. I remember Trotz calling Ovi out for his selfish play during their cup run. "Ovi has to decide if he's playing for himself or playing for the team."

After the Rangers blow a 2-0 series lead against Tampa, I think it's safe to say that a break could do some good. Might be rusty for a period, but will have plenty more in the tank if they are facing a team thats been constantly playing tough games

I don't think Ovi is capable of caring at a personal level lol

" The Old Man and the " C:

watching ovi playing now is like watching your old dog whose gone blind just like barely existing at that point

As a caps fan, yes, it was worth denying all three of those teams. We knew we weren't going anywhere as we were due for regressing to the mean, but if it means that either pennsylvania team AND detroit are 100% eliminated from cup contention? Worth. We saw it coming when after their meteoric rise after the all star break, they really limped into the playoffs the last 10 games. Ovie wasn't good this series, but neither was the rest of the team for most of the time. People and lines had a few bright points here and there, and Chucky did his best, but overall we were unable to exert any will upon the games they played. This result was 50% mediocre-at-best team, 50% mental boom from exhaustion from the run + frustration at not being able to control the games at most any point.

The first short handed goal he gave up broke my brain. The Ranger literally just skated up to him, politely took the puck away, and then broke hell bent for leather to our net and put one past Lindgren ... I couldnt believe it. 😢

You know, there's a lot of salty Penguins/Red Wings fans hating on ovi and the Capitals for stealing their playoff spot, but it's really ridiculous. It's not the Caps' fault that the Wings went on a 7 game losing streak in March. It's not the Caps' fault that the Penguins lost crucial games at the end of the season. The Caps also had some really impressive victories against top teams like New York, Boston, Vancouver and Winnipeg. Ovi scoring 31 goals at the age of 38 is an insane accomplishment. Sure he was lackluster in this series, but he is THIRTY EIGHT. Quit the crying.

As a caps fan congratulations to the better team. .even with the suspect hits that caused injuries to caps players aside. Better in every department. As for the other teams that didn't get playoffs. Next year do better don't blame the caps for your shortcomings. We didn't expect to make the playoffs, first season as a NHL coach I think coach Carberry did a fantastic job with the players he had. He also got rid of the players we thought we're unremovable in mantha and Kuzy. Fingers crossed we can get a good trade or two and some young guns who got their first lot of games under their belt can go on to get better and bigger physically caps love a physical game.

Ovi looks like he's had enough of playing hockey, based upon his performance in this series. I would rather have seen the Penguins against the Rangers.

Ovi's play in this sweep reminds me of "Requiem for a Heavy Weight." He's 38, and his game has been built on his enormous physical strength. It's sad to see such a brilliant career end with a whimper.

Ovechkin coasted all series. Dude looks checked out already.

I do genuinely wonder if Ovechkin has enough in the tank to try and get the all goal scoring record from Gretzky. If he doesn't get it now I don't think anyone ever will, at least in my lifetime.

Obetchkin looks like a player who is betting against his own team... Or, his hips are toast now.😮

Ovi looked like he was doing his best impression of PLD when Torts benched him.

Did you see the insane canucks comeback?

As a Ranger fan, we didn’t let Ovi get going. Our guys were told to be all over him and they listened. He is still the goat

Not a Caps fan but I feel bad for Ovi, as he’s getting closer and closer to retirement. He couldn’t get at the very least one playoffs win in this series but I knew they would lose the series against the Rangers tho. At least he’s accomplished lots in the league.

Rangers fan here too. I honestly think this team has enough determination to not let the time off get to them if Carolina's series is extended. Bigger thing to me is how hypervigilant the officiating was this series. Like yeah we know our PP and PK are next level, but I don't think we got the reps we needed 5v5 and that might bite us in an actually hard fought series.

Did he spend his entire career just waiting for a pass and not fighting for the puck? I've only seen Ovechkin when the Rangers play the Caps. He wasn't finishing checks, rarely chasing pucks... The Caps PP was basically a 4-on-4 with Ovechkin barely helping to keep the puck in the zone. It was as if the rest of the team's job was to fight for the puck to set him up for a goal.

Being well rested in between playoff series is great for the long-term, but losing momentum and any edge you had is an easy way that lose game one of the next series, and sometimes even game too as well. Which is a quick way to lose a series you were supposed to win, and to blow any shot that you had of winning.

A look at other scoring systems: If we use a 3-2-1-0 scoring system, the Capitals tie the Islanders for the last playoff spot. Pittsburgh is 3 back in 9th place (but a regulation win is 3 points), and Detroit is 5 back in 10th place, just 1 point ahead of both Philly and Buffalo. If we use a 2-2-1-0 scoring system (which we do), the Islanders finish 7th, and Washington finishes tied with Detroit for 8th. If we use a 2-1-1-0 scoring system (because 3v3 OT and shootouts shouldn't be used and should be ignored), the Islanders finish 7th, Washington finishes 1 point back in 8th, Pittsburgh finishes 1 point behind Washington, and Detroit finishes 6 points behind Washington and 12th in the conference behind both Philly and Buffalo. If we use a 2-2-0-0 scoring system because loser points are lame and 3v3 or shootout wins are just as real victories as winning at 5 on 5, then Detroit finishes 7th, Washington finishes alone in 8th, and the Islanders finish 2 points back tied with Buffalo in 9th place. Of the four scoring systems I picked, three have the Capitals alone in 8th place. And the last one, the one the NHL actually uses, had them tied for 8th place. If you have suggestions for other scoring systems, let me know what they are. My favorite system would just be 2-1-1-0, because I don't like 3v3 OT, and I especially despise using a shootout to award a point.

Hate to say it, but I actually see the possibility of him getting bought out and moving to the KHL or retiring Is it an outside chance? Yes, but the fact the possibility is decently high honestly upsets me. This was the goal scoring legend I grew up with and now he’s merely a shell.

After watching this series, I really hope Ovi doesn't ever catch Gretzky

Ovie is depressed and overweight. In one season, he lost his father, Backstrom, Kuzi, Orlov, and basically Oshie who has to lay on the floor and pee in bottles due to back pain.

Caps had no business being in that wildcard spot. Detroit would have been an underrated team against the rangers. When they were hot they were dangerous.

Before winning the cup Ovi had lots of pressure put on him to be the guy that steps up for the team, and he did. Now he’s got his cup and the team is trending downwards, he’s lost that fight given that he’s already proven everyone wrong. While the caps are not a good team, they certainly bounced back this year with some promising young talent, and I think Ovi has put a little too much faith in them-that coupled with his lack of motivation to prove haters wrong puts him back in his early pre-cup, lazy play days. Disappointing to see as a caps fan because I want him to go down as the greatest goal scorer (if not one of the greatest players) of all time, a lackadaisical effort by him and the team in general.

Christ, he’s the f***ing Captain. That makes his lack of effort exponentially worse. He should voluntarily resign the C on his jersey.

He's 38 and has spent most of his career playing a heavy physical game. We're speaking like many great hockey players don't burn out long before 38.

This is awesome

this was sad. he seriously needs to consider getting into shape this summer, it pisses me off so much how he glides around.

the power play won the series, an an aging anemic caps roster lost it.

This is a direction the Rangers haven't gone in for a while. I'm used to them being the last ones to close out a series, with their habit of going seven games. That's left them with limited chances to clinch the cup in the past. It will be interesting to me to see how this sweep changes their odds.

After February and the trade deadline moves, im just happy they fought their way into the playoffs. Playing regular season games as if its the playoffs takes a toll. We essentially had the Hershey Bears vs Rangers for the playoffs.

Atleast Ovi got to play his 150th career playoff game

SHOCKER: 38 year old cant carry his team anymore

Watching Ovi play is like seeing your dad shit his pants... It's an uncomfortable situation and nobody knows what to say 😐 It's what I heard from a friend at least...

I wanted to see the Red Wings in there. New York v. Detroit. A classic original 6 match up. Plus, Dylan Larkin deserved that playoff spot far more than Ovi

You would NEVER see Crosby give the same lack of effort.

Ovis lack of effort was hard to watch. Either way, your Rangers are going to have a tough battle against the Canes Eck

Watching Ovi this round reminded me of watching Zuk and The Bread Man last season's first round.

Man when most of us are 40 we aint gonna be able to walk a mile hes still an nhl player 😂😂😂

I don't want to see a guy like that break Gretz's record.

Not sure if it's true but it's my head cannon that Torts knew it was already over when he pulled the goalie but decided to let the sad sack Caps in. If we ain't gonna make it make sure the wings and pens don't

Been watching the Rangers the last few years play 7 game series after 7 game series in the playoffs every time. Will be interesting to see how they fare with some actual rest with a scary matchup against the Canes. Unless the Islanders pull off some sort of miracle of course.

it's not the end for Ovi, he'll play for more years to beat Gretzky

Who expected ovi and the caps to do anything really? They are in the middle of a semi rebuild and just happen to luck in because so many teams didn’t want it.

Tip my cap to Charlie Lindgren, dude didn't look rattled and did his best, he's gonna be fine.

Having a whole team built around you to get you goals isn't actually beating the scoring record

I hope he doesn't break the goal record tbh

Ovi needs to retire now.

Rags fan here. I’d rather have the shorter series to nurse some injuries. The rest vs rust argument is as old as time. Yeah historically it’s been bad for the rangers but maintaining health through the yoffs, especially the deeper you go, is vital for success. I mean look at the cats and Vegas last year. Vegas was healthier. And on top of that playing less games decreases the opportunities to get hurt. You hope your opponents went 6 or 7 in the previous round bc they are likely to be banged up

Hard to say yet on the rest question, just because we don't know what the situation will be regarding the opposition yet. Carolina winning in 6 with another game going to OT would be a far better one (IMO) for the Rangers than Islanders winning in 7 and coming into an emotionally charged series with momentum. I would also point out that the rest advantage for New York extends farther, they were finished with the regular season earlier than any other team and came into the playoffs with almost a week off. So realistically, they're only going to play 4 games in three weeks whereas all the other teams will play at least 7 in the same timeframe. That's more likely to have an effect later in the playoffs as teams wear down.

Although I think the Penguins are a trash team in desperate need of an overhaul, if Crosby was in the playoffs he would have 100 times more intensity than Ovi did. So for that reason, I will concede that it would have been better if Sid was in the playoffs this year rather than Ovi

We hear this with Ovi all the time They jumped on playoff train at minute 57 of game 82 So relax when next season starts Ovi will hunt down Gretzky s record