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Undefeated in outdoor games, Alex Ovechkin jokes every NHL playoff game should be played outside

By Ian Oland

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March 4, 2018 8:09 pm

Saturday night, the Washington Capitals delivered a lights out performance against the Toronto Maple Leafs, cruising to a 5-2 victory at Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

After the Capitals’ third consecutive outdoor game victory, captain Alex Ovechkin spoke to the NHL Network’s Jamie Hersch and had a radical new idea for the NHL postseason.

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“You guys are 3-0 in outdoor games,” Hersch said. “How do you explain that success?”

Ovechkin let out an Uhhh, and found the perfect joke.

“I hope outdoor games going to be in the playoffs,” Ovechkin deadpanned. “We can have more success over there.”

The Capitals have gone 3-0 in games that are played outside, including the 2011 NHL Winter Classic (3–1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins at Heinz Field), the 2015 Winter Classic (3-2 last-minute win over the Chicago Blackhawks at Nationals Park), and the 2017 Stadium Series game (5-2 blowout over the Leafs at Navy). Meanwhile, the Capitals have never reached the Eastern Conference Finals during the Ovechkin era, including losing to eventual champion Pittsburgh in the second round in consecutive seasons.

The Russian machine then skated off the ice and took more questions during a press conference.

During the first period, Ovechkin scored his 40th goal of the season after gathering in an accurate pass from Tom Wilson to the slot. It’s the ninth time in Ovechkin’s career he’s hit the 40-goal plateau.

“Does [40 goals] mean anything to you?” a reporter asked.

“40 is nice, but 50 is better,” Ovechkin said. “So still have time to do that. But again I have to focus, I have to keep playing, easy chances and it will come.”

Full RMNB Coverage of Stadium Series

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