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WASHINGTON -- This hardly is the way Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals were expected to succeed when this roster was being put together. Tom Brady Pink Jersey . Doesnt matter one bit, of course. After year upon year of underachieving in the post-season, the seventh-seeded Capitals finally are overachievers: Theyre headed to the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs after getting past the Boston Bruins in overtime of Game 7, the first time in franchise history Washington eliminated the reigning Stanley Cup champion. Its also the first time Washington won a Game 7 on the road. Indeed, theyd only been 2-7 in such winners-take-all contests anywhere. "That wasnt pretty," Capitals owner Ted Leonsis said afterward. "That was beautiful." Whats changed is that Washington no longer relies on Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Alexander Semin and its other playmakers up front to carry them. Adopting new coach Dale Hunters defence-first strategy, and with team captain Ovechkin spending plenty of time on the bench, the Capitals are winning ugly. "I think winning any way you can is what playoff hockey is about," Leonsis said. Sure took a while for that lesson to sink in. Under previous coach Bruce Boudreau and his wide-open system, and with Ovechkin scoring seemingly at will en route to a pair of NHL MVP awards, the Capitals dominated during the regular season, then went home earlier than expected once the playoffs got going. Four consecutive Southeast Division titles were nice, certainly, and so was that Presidents Trophy awarded for having the most points in the standings. But losing in the first or second round of the post-season to lower-seeded teams was not what Leonsis or Washingtons fans were hoping for. "Theres been some frustration here in the past," forward Brooks Laich said. This season, Boudreau was fired in late November and replaced by Hunter, who never was so much as an assistant coach in the AHL, let alone a head coach in the NHL. But as a player, Hunter did end two series with winning goals, so he knows what it takes in the pressure cooker of the post-season. Even though the Capitals only squeezed into the playoffs by securing a berth in the final week of the season, they might have been more prepared than ever to succeed. They know they need to do all the little things right. They know they need to worry at least as much -- if not more -- about protecting their net than putting the puck in the opponents. "I mean, thats the way youve got to play to be successful, I think, in the playoffs," Backstrom said. "Playing good defensively and blocking shots -- and weve got to keep doing that." They managed to come out on top against the No. 2-seeded Bruins in the first NHL playoff series to feature seven one-goal games. Four went to overtime; two others were decided with less than two minutes left in the third period. "This is a series here that we werent supposed to win," Capitals forward Mike Knuble said. "Its one step for us. We got more steps to go." Washington did it with tremendous goalkeeping by Braden Holtby, a playoff rookie who had played in a grand total of 21 NHL games heading into the series. With shot-blocking and conservative play. And with Ovechkin sitting out for long stretches. He played a career playoff-low 15 minutes, 34 seconds in Game 5, then was on the ice for only 16:25 in Game 7. The winning goal came from Joel Ward, who scored only six all season but was there to put in a backhand after Knubles shot was blocked. "When it comes playoff time, you never know whos going to score goals," Hunter said. He also made a point of remarking on how vital contributions can be from lesser-known players, guys who might be given less-than-glamorous duty. "The sacrifices they make -- to block shots and do what the coaches tell them to do -- its no fun," Hunter said. "But its fun when you win." Tom Brady official Jersey . 15 and re-opens for business later, the Canadian Hockey League will have plans in place for its NHL-eligible players. Rob Gronkowski Authentic Jersey . Daniel Nava and Kelly Shoppach hit sixth-inning homers to turn a tie game in Bostons favour, and newcomer Scott Podsednik also connected to help carry the Red Sox to a 6-5 victory Wednesday. http://www.nflpatriotsfansshop.com/rob-gronkowski-womens-jersey/ ." Carlos Hyde rushed for 137 yards and three touchdowns, and Braxton Miller burnished his Heisman credentials by passing for two scores and running for another in the Buckeyes 52-22 victory over Illinois on Saturday. Vince Wilfork Womens Jersey . Thats all it will take for Vancouver Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault to be behind the bench at the 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game in Ottawa. Kyle Love Jersey . -- It seemed as if Denny Hamlin was out for a Sunday afternoon drive at Kansas Speedway, hanging around the leaders most of the day but never really giving anybody too much reason to worry.MANCHESTER, England -- Chilean striker Angelo Henriquez has finally completed his move to Manchester United, two weeks after being granted a work permit to join the Premier League giants. United manager Alex Ferguson has been scouting the 18-year-old Henriquez since 2008 and says the youngster "fits the profile of a United player -- skilful, attacking and someone whho plays the game with real flair. Rob Gronkowski Patriots Jersey. " Henriquez, who joins from Universidad de Chile and hasnt yet played for his country, will initially be used in the reserves or the under-21 team but could be given a run-out for the first team in League Cup matches. Henriquez says "I am thrilled to be joining the biggest club in the world." ' ' '
