The Ovechkin-Backstrom-Semin Line was very good for the ’08-’09 Capitals as they defeated the ’97-’98 Capitals in five games. (via lutzofhockeytalk.blogspot.com)

The reigning representatives began this series by exploding for eight goals in Game 1. The 8th-seeded ’08-’09 Capitals had ten players register a point in the win and six of them posted multi-point games. Nicklas Backstrom led all players with five points (1 G, 4 A). The top-seeded ’97-’98 Capitals then dominated the third period of Game 2 to come away with a 5-3 win. Defenseman Calle Johansson tallied four assists while five different players scored in the win. However, the series was over from there. The top line of Backstrom-Alex Ovechkin–Alexander Semin took control. They combined for six points in their 4-2 win in Game 3. Then, they combined for seven points in a 5-1 win in Game 4. Game 5 was tied 1-1 after two periods, but the ’08-’09 Capitals rattled off three straight goals in the third to lead them to a series-clinching 4-2 win. Backstrom registered two primary assists in the third and scored the other goal in that period for the ’08-’09 Capitals, which turned out to be the game and series-winner.

GAME 1:

GAME SUMMARY:  ’08-’09 WSH – 8   ’97-’98 WSH – 2   (1-0   ’08-’09 WSH)

STARS OF THE GAME:

1st Star: C – Nicklas Backstrom (’08-’09 WSH) – 1 G   4 A   5 P   +5   4 S

2nd Star: D – Mike Green (’08-’09 WSH) – 2 G   1 A   3 P   +4   5 S   2 PIM

3rd Star: RW – Tomas Fleischmann (’08-’09 WSH) – 2 G   0 A   2 P   +4   3 S

GAME 2:

GAME SUMMARY:  ’97-’98 WSH – 5   ’08-’09 WSH – 3   (1-1)

STARS OF THE GAME:

1st Star: D – Calle Johansson (’97-’98 WSH) – 0 G   4 A   4 P   +3   5 S

2nd Star: C – Steve Konowalchuk (’97-’98 WSH) – 1 G   1 A   2 P   +3   5 S

3rd Star: LW – Alex Ovechkin (’08-’09 WSH) – 2 G   0 A   2 P   -2   10 S

GAME 3:

GAME SUMMARY:  ’08-’09 WSH – 4   ’97-’98 WSH – 2   (2-1   ’08-’09 WSH)

STARS OF THE GAME:

1st Star: LW – Alex Ovechkin (’08-’09 WSH) – 2 G   1 A   3 P   +3   2 S

2nd Star: G – Olaf Kolzig (’97-’98 WSH) – L   3.00 GAA   .952 SV% (60 SV’s)

3rd Star: RW – Alexander Semin (’08-’09 WSH) – 0 G   3 A   3 P   +3   10 S

GAME 4:

GAME SUMMARY:  ’08-’09 WSH – 5   ’97-’98 WSH – 1   (3-1   ’08-’09 WSH)

STARS OF THE GAME:

1st Star: RW – Alexander Semin (’08-’09 WSH) – 1 G   2 A   3 P   +3   7 S

2nd Star: C – Nicklas Backstrom (’08-’09 WSH) – 2 G   0 A   2 P   +2   9 S

3rd Star: LW – Alex Ovechkin (’08-’09 WSH) – 1 G   1 A   2 P   +3   14 S   2 PIM

GAME 5:

GAME SUMMARY:  ’08-’09 WSH – 4   ’97-’98 WSH – 2   (4-1   ’08-’09 WSH)

STARS OF THE GAME:

1st Star: C – Nicklas Backstrom (’08-’09 WSH) – 1 G   2 A   3 P   +2   3 S

2nd Star: RW – Tomas Fleischmann (’08-’09 WSH) – 1 G   1 A   2 P   +2   2 S

3rd Star: LW – Alex Ovechkin (’08-’09 WSH) – 1 G   1 A   2 P   +1   9 S

Up next is the 4-5 matchup between the ’85-’86 Capitals and the ’14-’15 Capitals!