Washington Capitals Playoffs: Top 3 takeaways in huge win over Panthers

#2 Alex Ovechkin isn’t messing around

One of the most noticeable players on the ice was none other than the great eight Alex Ovechkin himself. He not only scored his first playoff goal this postseason from the office, he also had an assist on a T.J. Oshie deflection goal and wasn’t afraid to lay out punishing hits.

With Tom Wilson still day to day with a lower body injury, including not being on the ice for Sunday’s optional practice, it was Ovechkin who stepped up to the plate in the hit department.

Oshie talked about Ovechkin’s physicality:

"“If the big man’s hitting — I guess everyone’s got less games than him, less experience, less GOATness — so if the big man’s hitting, you better be hitting, too. He’s going to drag everyone else along with him.”"

Ovechkin had a total of six hits in the game which was tied for the most on the Capitals with Garnet Hathaway and Lars Eller.

Capitals Head Coach Peter Laviolette added:

"“Which we need. Everybody’s got to chip in with that. Tom’s not there again tonight and he’s a big guy that provides some physicality and so everybody’s got to ante up. For a guy who scores goals and is going to go down as one of the greats of all time, his physical play is always evident and needed. And so it set the tone.”"