Washington Capitals: Top 10 best playoff moments in team history
#9 Alex Ovechkin’s playoff debut
On April 11, 2008 it marked the highly anticipated playoff debut of Alex Ovechkin and it didn’t disappoint. In a first round home matchup with the Philadelphia Flyers, Ovechkin would come through in the clutch.
Donald Brashear gave the Caps an early 1-0 lead before the Flyers tied it. In the second, David Steckel gave the Caps the lead before the Flyers scored three unanswered goals. The Caps would turn it on in the third period and get two goals from Mike Green to tie it before Ovechkin’s heroics with 4:32 left in the game.
Ovechkin’s goal came from a turnover, taking the puck away from Lasse Kukkonen and sliding the puck past goaltender Martin Biron.
"“A pretty veteran move. It’s not easy: so much talk about everything and such a great season. Playoffs is a little different. I’m actually surprised — really amazed — that he kept himself so together, so cool in the final moments of the game.”"
The Caps would go on to lose this series in seven games but this game was the culmination of a miraculous late season run to get to the playoffs and usher in a new era where fans would Rock the Red.