Ovechkin blames USA's, Finland's World Cup struggles on timing

It's not an excuse, but an explanation.

Russian forward Alex Ovechkin joined his teammates at NHL training camp after the World Cup, and offered up his rationale for the United States and Finland going winless at the best-on-best international tournament.

"If it was during the year like Olympic Games, I don't think U.S. would lose, I don't think Finland would lose," Ovechkin said, according to Stephen Whyno of The Associated Press.

The NHL has participated in the Olympics since 1998, with the tournament taking place during the season, resulting in a two-week shutdown. Players are obviously in a different place with respect to their fitness at that point, compared to early September, when training camps begin after a summer off.

Ovechkin had a goal and two assists in four World Cup games, as Russia lost in the semifinal to Canada.