Alex Ovechkin on his slow start to the season: 'We're all struggling'

""We're all struggling," Ovechkin said. "But overall, we just have to stick to the plan and keep moving, and eventually you will score...As soon as you start thinking like 'Oh, you didn't score,' or 'You scored two goals in 12 games,' whatever, you're just going to put pressure on yourself. "You don't have to do it. You just have to go out there and do as much as you can and best as you can for your team.""

""Some of the decline could stem from a preseason injury that caused Ovechkin to miss the first two weeks of training camp, limiting him to the final two exhibition games before the start of the campaign. Ovechkin acknowledged that the aftereffects of his absence have lingered into the regular season, though they've lessened with each game. "It sucks when you're in training camp, you try to get in shape, and you miss those ice, miss off-ice workouts," he said.""

Alex Ovechkin has scored two goals and recorded seven points in 12 games, down from 16 points (8g, 8a) at the same point last season. The Washington Capitals have lost four straight games and scored just five goals during that stretch. A preseason injury forced Ovechkin to miss the first two weeks of training camp and limited him to two exhibition games before the season. The aftereffects of that absence have lingered but have lessened with each game. The Capitals' power play has produced six goals overall, none by Ovechkin, and went 0-for-13 during the losing streak. Ovechkin emphasizes sticking to the plan, avoiding self-imposed pressure, and regaining conditioning and game touches.

Read at RMNB