ST. PAUL, Minn. — Alex Ovechkin’s head hung back as he stared upward, watching the replays if Nicklas Backstrom on the Washington Capitals’ last goal. The hats had already been tossed onto the ice — and cleared off — and the puck had been retrieved as a keepsake, but a Minnesota Wild coach’s challenge threatened to be the ultimate buzzkill.
The official skated out to the center of the ice and announced that Ovechkin’s third goal of the game counted. Backstrom was not deemed offsides and on the bench, Ovechkin exhaled a deep breath, flashed his signature wide smile and mouthed, “Boom.