Washington Capitals’ captain Alex Ovechkin not happy over being benched-NHL News
Washington Capitals’ left wing, Alex Ovechkin, has conceded to his inability of playing cool without being on the ice but admitted there is nothing much he can do about it.
Ovechkin’s participation in the ongoing Eastern Conference playoff quarterfinals series was limited to 15 seconds over the final 14 minutes of during Game 4.
Earlier, he attempted to play down suggestions of being frustrated over the coach’s decision of benching him all along, by saying it "doesn't matter".
Now, he has changed his mind and admitted the situation is rather annoying for him but there is nothing he could about it.
He said:
"Of course, sometimes you get angry you didn't play a lot (of) minutes. And sometimes you get angry you're not out there. But if it's good for the team, you have to eat it."
It might be easier to chew and eat but very hard to swallow when a player is captain of the team, on a hefty $10 million per year deal and, most importantly, leading scorer of the season.
Obviously, Ovechkin has left the decision of leaving him out to wisdom of the coach but even commentators have noted that it is not all too easy for him to sit outside on the fence watching his teammates playing and enjoying the game.
While referring to the coach’s decision, Ovechkin said:
"It doesn't matter how many minutes I play. Of course I want to be there, but it's his decision."
Capitals’ coach, Dale Hunter, meanwhile, has an explanation of his own and his comments on the issue have shown him to be firm and final about the choice, regardless of the fact it will have an impact on the player’s profile. He remains adamant to accept
the possibility of a negative outfall of his decision.
Hunter said:
"He's a big part of the team. But still, you need the whole team. Come a game like this, you need the four lines and the six 'D' and the goalie going. Come playoff time, it's always the surprise guys who score the big goals to win the games."
Ovechkin remains uncertain about participation in the rest of the games of the series.
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