So how do we account for the Washington Capitals — serial postseason underachievers — blowing a 3-2 series lead to the NY Rangers and failing to show up for last night’s 5-0, Game 7 loss at their own rink? Some will undoubtedly hail the heroics of Ranger netminder Henrik Lundqvist, but in the view of Caps winger Alexander Ovechkin, the fix was in. From WTOP.com :
In an interview with Salva Malamud, of Russian paper Sports-Express’, Ovechkin spoke Russian when he said, “I don’t know whether the refs were predisposed against us or the league. But not to give obvious penalties, while for us any little thing was immediately penalized…”
“The refereeing … you understand it yourself. How can there be no penalties at all (on one team) during the playoffs,” Ovechkin said.
He also told the reporter: “I am not saying there was a phone call from (the league), but someone just wanted Game 7. For the ratings. You know, the lockout, escrow, the league needs to make profit.”