Lightning's Cooper: Ovechkin taking out frustration of past playoff failures

Alex Ovechkin is a man on a mission.

After failing to capture the Stanley Cup through his first 12 years in the NHL, the Washington Capitals captain is seemingly out to carve a new path in the 2018 postseason.

Ovechkin has tallied 19 points in 14 playoff games, including a game-winning goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. He's powered the Capitals to their first third-round appearance since 1998.

The charge has only continued as Ovechkin and the Capitals have taken the first two games against the favored Tampa Bay Lightning.

"I think he has taken 14 years of frustration out on one playoff. Not just us, but this whole playoff season," Lightning coach Jon Cooper told reporters Monday. "There's a reason he has 600 goals and he's done all these wonderful things in the league."

Ovechkin has picked up a pair of points in each game against the Lightning. The Capitals can push Tampa to the brink of elimination in Washington on Tuesday, which would make Ovechkin's dominance even more impressive.

"In the past, (Ovechkin) has not had playoff success, and when you do get to taste a little bit of it, it really tastes good," Cooper added.

Ovechkin is just two points back of tying his career high in the playoffs. He notched 11 goals and 10 assists during the 2009 postseason.

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