Ovechkin Picks Up 300th Point In 3-2 Win Over Leafs

Added on Apr 06, 2011 by J Merrill in

NHL

The Washington Capitals are expecting a strong run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and with the 3-2 shoot out win over the The Toronto Maple Leafs, they ended the Leafs chances of seeing the post season. The Caps moved into the first place in the Eastern Conference, and officially clinched their fourth consecutive Southeast Division title late in the third period when Tampa Bay lost 4-2 at Buffalo.

This will be the first time since 2004 the Leafs have failed to reach the playoffs. Toronto’s Rookie goalie James Reimer said he was proud of his club even though it didn’t end the way they wanted it. He said “It was unfortunate we put ourselves in the predicament we did where we had to run the table. We played our hearts out, we did everything we could. We’ve fallen short right now but I’m proud of the way we battled for the last couple months, especially today too. Going into overtime I think we all saw the score, that Buffalo had won, and we could have packed it in right there. As far as I could see, we controlled most of the overtime.”

Reimer also said his squad had a lot to be proud of, as they accomplished a lot for the uphill battle they had during the end of the season. He said “GMs and coaches, they want players that can play in the playoffs. As far as I’m concerned, this team has been playing in the playoffs for two months now and I think we’ve been playing great. We can hold our heads high, we’re proud of the way we worked.”

Washington coach Bruce Boudreau was very complimentary of the young goalie, and he insisted that he would have a bright future in the NHL. He said “Taking nothing away from the way the Leafs have played in the last month and a half, but (Reimer) was a real difference-maker today. We had some 10-bell chances and he rose to the test. I think the Leafs have got a good goalie there.” Boudreau said he could tell how tired the Leafs were, and he noticed them fading as the minutes went on. He concluded “They looked a little tired — mentally tired. It’s hard hanging on and hanging on and hanging on. I thought as the game wore on we kept getting it deep and wearing them down a little bit.”

Leafs Captain Dion Phaneuf was frustrated, and summed it by simply saying it never feel sgood when you fall short of a goal you are trying to attain. He said “As players, we play to play in the playoffs, we play to try and win the Stanley Cup,” captain Dion Phaneuf said. “When you’re eliminated from getting that opportunity, it doesn’t feel very good.”

Ovechkin tied it 1-1 while the Caps held a 5-on-3 advantage when he scored off of a one timer from the left circle. It was his 31^st goal of seasons, and his 300^th career point. That goal made him the sixth-youngest player to reach the milestone. Being the type of player his is, Ovechkin was quick to attribute his play to his whole team. He said “It feels good. When you score 300 goals in six years, it’s a big accomplishment. I play for a great team.”