Alex Ovechkin, Capitals have been on a roll
Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green, right, celebrates his goal with teammates Nicklas Backstrom, left, and Alex Ovechkin (8) during the third period of a game against the Boston Bruins. (April 27, 2013) Credit: AP
It's more likely he will use his stick than his skates if the Capitals are to beat the Rangers in this series that begins Thursday.
Ovechkin, the NHL's leading goal-scorer with 32 in this shortened season, is healthy and on a roll. So are the Capitals, who returned to practice Monday in Arlington, Va. They overcame a 2-8-1 start to win the Southeast Division and No. 3 seed.
"It's nice that we're going to have [a] couple more days to relax and get ready,'' said Ovechkin, who led the NHL with 14 goals and 22 points in April as Washington went 11-1-1.
The Rangers beat Washington last season in a classic seven-game Eastern Conference semifinal. First-year Capitals coach Adam Oates said nothing but nice things about his opponent Monday.
"You have to respect them,'' Oates said. "They play an aggressive, pressure-type game. It's nothing we haven't seen. They play version of it.''
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