Truth & Rumors > NHL
Hunter benches Ovechkin in final period
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08:28 AM ET 04.20 | As the Capitals hung on Thursday night for a series-knotting Game 4 win, Alex Ovechkin was hard to find. In fact, Ovechkin took just four shifts and played just 1 minute, 58 seconds of the final period as Dale Hunter shortened his bench to hold onto the one-goal lead. It was a bold move by Hunter, who benched Ovechkin for long stretches of the third period in previous games this season and faced a rash of criticism. Thursday night was different. Ovechkin assisted on Alex Semin's second-period goal but his offensive zone giveaway led to Rich Peverley's goal in the first period. Hunter simply did not want to run the risk of Ovechkin committing another costly giveaway in the third period of a one-goal game.
Alex Ovechkin, Getty Images
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Comments (66) Add A Comment
"No Ovechtrick for you" - Dale Hunter
BeezHockey
Erie , PA
Total Comments (287)
Ever since Russia got spanked by Canada in the Olympics, he has not been the same player.
Ron Mexico II
Total Comments (334)
Interesting. Dale shortening the bench often results in exhaustion and being outshot 15-0 on occasion. We'll see, but I ain't convinced in anything he's doing except Holtby. I do agree however that Ovie gives up far too many breakaways in close games.
Slapshot
Total Comments (8960)
Why point a finger solely at Ovechkin when 1/2 the team committed giveaways that gave the Bruins countless opportunities. Hunter is lucky that Holtby saved them last night.
DCsFinest
Washington, DC
Total Comments (157)
Bold move, but it worked. They got the win.
THE BISHOP!
Total Comments (13371)
The 4th line with Knuble came through big time last night. To the Pub for Game 5.
Seabird 56
Total Comments (1419)
It worked, didn't it? They won. And .... that's what counts.
roamer
Total Comments (9525)
The win was related more to Boston's ineffectiveness and/or unwillingness crashing the front of the net and unnerving Holtby like they did in the win in game three than any 'brilliant' strategy from Hunter. If we are going to start recognizing Hunter as a brilliant strategist, we are in serious trouble.
BeezHockey
Erie , PA
Total Comments (287)
Take away from Hunter if you will, but clearly Julien isn't getting through to his players either.
dannylimes
Toronto, ON
Total Comments (8008)
That usually works for all occasions. :0)
Canuck eh?
Total Comments (18336)
Enjoy!!
hbomb
Total Comments (25786)
Well ... Boston is sure doing their damnedest to make him look that way, aren't they?
roamer
Total Comments (9525)
Boston has been somewhat sleepy in the series...they had a burst...but still kind of dragging I think
Spiny Norman
Total Comments (10811)
The best part of the game was listening to to commentators when Ovi lined up Chara and it looked like he ran into a wall. But they made it sound like Ovi came out on the winning end of the check.
Garbage Man
Harrisburg , PA
Total Comments (1742)
Maybe not the best but the funniest
Garbage Man
Harrisburg , PA
Total Comments (1742)
I haven't seen much of Holtby this year and know very little about him - but he sure was impressive
drysdale
Total Comments (1980)
Was that McGuire et. al. on NBC? Craig Laughlin called it a little differently..........
Seabird 56
Total Comments (1419)
Well, with Semin in their line up, the Caps are showing more testicular fortitude than the sleepy Bears.
roamer
Total Comments (9525)
He operates on the theory that less is more.
Seabird 56
Total Comments (1419)
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