Alex Ovechkin To Miss Big Eastern Conference Showdown With Philadelphia Flyers

In a move that appears to be similar to that of the Colts or Patriots resting Peyton Manning or Tom Brady in Week 17 or 18 of the NFL season, the Washington Capitals have announced that star forward and team captain Alexander Ovechkin will not play Tuesday night against the Philadelphia Flyers.

“He just needs to take some time off to get completely healed up,” says Caps’ general manager George McPhee. McPhee says seven to days is about all Ovechkin will need. 

The game in Philadelphia on Tuesday night is the only game Washington plays in a six-day span so sitting Ovechkin to allow him some healing time seems like the perfect time

“He’s been bothered by this nagging ailment for a couple of months,” says Caps coach Bruce Boudreau. “We just thought we’d take care of it now. His body needs a little bit of rest. We thought this was a good time to rest his body for a week to two weeks so he’s fresh come April.”

With the Caps trailing the Flyers by just two points for the overall lead in the Eastern Conference, many Caps fans may feel this is bad timing. It is not, this move further illustrates Washington's commitment to succeed in this year’s playoffs.

Even with a victory in Philadelphia, the Caps can only tie the Flyers for the conference lead. The Flyers have two games in hand with just eight games remaining for Washington. It is highly unlikely the Caps will win the East. The question is do they even really care about winning the East this season?

Washington will clinch a playoff spot this week and winning the Eastern Conference and Presidents' Trophy last season did not produce postseason success. The Caps lead the Tampa Bay Lightning by five points and seem headed for their fourth straight Southeast Division title.

This is somewhat of a break for the Flyers. Ovechkin has 35 points (20-G,15-A) in 22 career games Vs. Philadelphia. The Great 8 has nine additional points (4-G, 5-A) in seven postseason contests against Philadelphia.

Winning the division guarantees Washington home ice in at least the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. A result Washington seems to be more than willing to accept.

The Capitals seem to be very focused on being playoff ready this year. Washington seems to have corrected a defense that was not playoff ready last season, while also becoming more physical in the process.

Resting Ovie and making sure all three goalies have playing time in the last eight games are subtle moves, but moves that should pay off for a run at this year’s Stanley Cup.

With 26 points in his last 21 games (10 G, 16 A), Ovechkin seems to have found his scoring touch. Aside from the scoring machine Ovie has become in his career, he has also stepped up his two-way play this season.

While Ovechkin leads the league with 332 shots, he also has delivered 225 hits, ninth in the NHL. This type of hitting takes a toll on the body. Ovechkin missed 10 games last season, eight with injury and two games due to a league imposed suspension.

Ovechkin’s ice time has also dropped over the past 11 games. He has less than 20 minutes in seven of the Capitals’ last 11 games.

The Capitals have won 13 of their last 16 games and while Ovechkin has had points in most of those games, resting him may give Caps Boudreau a chance to get some players playoff ready on the ice.

“We don’t want to be experimenting at the end of March,” says Boudreau, “but it will give us a chance to see some new possibilities. In addition, it gives somebody else a chance to play valuable minutes. Someone who is playing 12 minutes a game might be able to jump up to 18 minutes a game because of his absence.” (washingtoncapitals.com)

As a Caps fan I would love to win tomorrow night in Philadelphia, but after 36 years and no Stanley Cup, I'm willing to accept whatever the Capitals feel will be better for them come playoff time.

While this move may not sit well with the Versus Network or the NHL for TV ratings tomorrow night, it may pay off for Caps fans in early June.