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Experiment over? Ovechkin back to left wing

Washington Capitals v New York Rangers - Game Five

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 07: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals looks on against the New York Rangers in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 7, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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Three games. Three losses. Zero goals for Alex Ovechkin.

Therefore, Ovechkin will be moving back to left wing for Washington’s game tonight in New Jersey.

Per the Star-Ledger’s Rich Chere, Ovechkin says he told head coach Adam Oates that he was more comfortable on the left side (where he’d always played) than the right (where Oates was hoping to make his captain less predictable).

It’s not clear if this is the official end of the experiment. But with three straight losses to start the season for the Capitals, perhaps both player and coach felt now was not the time for Ovechkin to be getting used to a new position.

Related: Neuvirth to start tonight for Caps