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Ovechkin, Caps in Playoffs

Washington wins seventh straight to finish climb into postseason

By Mitch Pritchard,  Newser User

Posted Apr 6, 2008 2:29 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Make room in the playoffs for MVP front-runner Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. Tomas Fleischmann, Sergei Fedorov and Alexander Semin scored for the Capitals, who clinched the Southeast Division title with a 3-1 victory over the Florida Panthers last night. The win was also the Capitals' seventh straight. The Capitals needed only 4 1/2 months to go from worst in the NHL to Southeast Division champions.

The Capitals finished last in the Southeast each of the last three seasons and were still there as late as Dec. 30, but their steady climb had already begun. They ended the regular season by winning 11 of 12 and 14 of 18 and became the first NHL team to make the playoffs after sitting at 14th or 15th in the conference at the halfway mark.

Washington Capitals' Eric Fehr (14) looks for the puck against Florida Panthers goalie Craig Anderson (31) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, April 5, 2008, in Washington.
Washington Capitals' Eric Fehr (14) looks for the puck against Florida Panthers goalie Craig Anderson (31) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, April 5, 2008, in Washington.   (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin, of Russia, celebrates after they defeated the Florida Panthers 3-1 in a NHL hockey game, Saturday, April 5, 2008, in Washington.
Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin, of Russia, celebrates after they defeated the Florida Panthers 3-1 in a NHL hockey game, Saturday, April 5, 2008, in Washington.   (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Capitals' Alexander Semin (28), of Russia, moves the puck up the ice against Florida Panthers' Steve Montador (7) last night in Washington. The Capitals won 3-1.
Washington Capitals' Alexander Semin (28), of Russia, moves the puck up the ice against Florida Panthers' Steve Montador (7) last night in Washington. The Capitals won 3-1.   (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Capitals' Tomas Fleischmann (43) of the Czech Republic moves past Florida Panthers goalie Craig Anderson (31) en route to scoring a goal last night in Washington.
Washington Capitals' Tomas Fleischmann (43) of the Czech Republic moves past Florida Panthers goalie Craig Anderson (31) en route to scoring a goal last night in Washington.   (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
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NHL • hockey • Washington Capitals • Florida Panthers • Alex Ovechkin • Alexander Semin • Tomas Fleischmann • Sergei Fedorov

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