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Alex Ovechkin, Capitals put halt to 20-year East finals drought

PITTSBURGH -- Alex Ovechkin had played in 1,003 regular season games and 109 playoff games without appearing in a championship round. Barry Trotz had coached 1,524 regular season games and 101 more in the playoffs, without ever advancing to even the conference final.

"It's always thrown in your face, everywhere you turn," said Trotz. "I know it's thrown in Ovi's face everywhere he turns, and he's a great player in this league."

After Game 6 against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday night, that particular smear against the Washington Capitals' star player, their coach and the franchise itself was wiped away.