The Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (right) tangles with Pittsburgh Penguins' Evgeny Malkin in the second period of the hockey game in Pittsburgh, January 21, 2008.
Photo: AP
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Ovechkin Leads Capitals to Victory
One of the most exciting games of this hockey season was the Washington Capitals vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins, who felt the absence of the injured Sidney Crosby acutely. Two young Russian players, Evgeny Malkin and Alexander Ovechkin, played key parts in it.
The Capitals, who picked up after coach Glen Hanlon was replaced with Bruce Boudreau this season, rose from last place in their division to third place after four wins in a row, making them contenders for the Stanley Cup. In front of them are the Atlanta Thrashers and the Carolina Hurricanes.
Washington's fourth win was their most spectacular. Ten shots were made in regulation time, the last of which coming four and a half minutes before the bell by Washington's Viktor Kozlov. The Capitals' Ovechkin and Penguins' Malkin distinguished themselves on the ice. Each scored three points in the 6:5 match and made two goals each. Ovechkin made his 38th goal in the championship, thus besting the record set by Atlanta's Ilya Kovalchuk. The Russian players' goals were practically forgotten by American television, however, in favor of their collision on the ice.
Not long ago, the Atlantic Division leading Penguins seemed a shoo-in for the Stanley Cup competition, and the Capitals out of consideration. Now the situation is completely changed.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Jan. 23, 2008
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