Alex Ovechkin isn't backing down from his Game 7 guarantee.
Since the Washington Capitals' Game 6 loss to the New York Rangers, much of the hype surrounding Wednesday's series-deciding contest has revolved around the superstar's declaration that his team will be the one moving on to the Eastern Conference Final.
On Tuesday, Ovechkin stood by his comments, and brushed off any hoopla they may have stirred up.
From Katie Brown of NHL.com:
I just said we are going to New York and finish off the series. That’s what I mean. I don’t care what everybody thinks ... I care what we think here in the group, as a team. You guys can think whatever you want. We just go in there, concentrate. Three periods, might be four, might be five. Whatever it takes. It’s not about the one person. It’s about the group of guys that’s going to be out there. Everybody can make a difference.
Further to that, Ovechkin's comments are sitting just fine with his teammates, according to Nicklas Backstrom.
"Everyone in the room believes that," Backstrom said of the Capitals winning Game 7. "He said it from the heart. It's perfect."
So it's all much ado about nothing from Washington's perspective, and even more so if they do indeed escape New York with a win.
