Capitals' Alex Ovechkin has no points in an NHL playoff series for the 1st time

WASHINGTON (AP) — Alex Ovechkin in addition to being the second-most prolific goal-scorer in NHL history in the regular season has throughout his career been a point-a-game producer in the playoffs, despite criticism that dogged him before winning the Stanley Cup in 2018.

For the first time, Ovechkin was held without a goal or an assist in a playoff series and had just five shots on net as he and the Washington Capitals were swept in the first round by the New York Rangers.

“I didn’t play well,” Ovechkin said after losing Game 4 on Sunday night. “I don’t have that kind of touches. I try to find a different way to put the puck in.”

None of it worked, either on the power play or at 5 on 5. His best chance came in Game 4 with the puck on his stick just outside the crease, but New York’s Vincent Trocheck poked it away and Ovechkin was not much of a threat the rest of the way.