Alexander Ovechkin has been sensational in the Capitals second round series against Pittsburgh. Ovechkin has 7 goals in five games and has answered all the hype. Ovechkin’s rival Sidney Crosby has been just as good if not better.
While Crosby and Ovechkin have cancelled each other out, a reason the Penguins are up 3-2 in the series is because of Evgeni Malkin. After being held pointless in games 1 and 2, Malkin has been phenomenal since, putting on a dominant performance in game 3 and scoring the OT winner in game 5.
Malkin gives Pittsburgh another superstar who can take over a game at any time. The wildcard in this series was going to be Alexander Semin who at one time this season was getting mentioned into the Crosby, Ovechkin and Malkin discussion. Semin has been held scoreless in the series and he has failed to give the Capitals another difference maker who can match Crosby, Malkin.
There has been speculation that Semin is bothered by an upper body injury but Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik has played a vital part in Semin being taking off of his game.
Orpik has been in the head of the talented winger since game 1 and Semin is going out of his way to play physical instead of relying on the one attribute (scoring goals) as to why he was being regarded as an elite talent during the regular season.
If Pittsburgh takes care of business in game 6 and eliminates the Caps, the Capitals will be looking at the lack of production from Alexander Semin and defenseman Mike Green as the main reason the Capitals were unable to combat Malkin, Crosby.
Photo courtesy of Dan4th
