'Doesn't matter if you score': Capitals' Ovechkin exits playoffs early after 1 goal in 7 games

Washington Capitals captain and left wing, Alex Ovechkin, from Russia, pauses while speaking during a media availability at their NHL hockey practice facility, Tuesday, May 14, 2013 in Arlington, Va. The Capitals were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the New York Rangers.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (The Associated Press)

Washington Capitals captain and left wing, Alex Ovechkin, from Russia, departs after a media availability at their NHL hockey practice facility, Tuesday, May 14, 2013 in Arlington, Va. The Capitals were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the New York Rangers.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (The Associated Press)

ARLINGTON, Va. – Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin knows full well that his playoff failures are adding up.

And the two-time NHL MVP knows what that means for the way people think about his career.

Meeting with reporters Tuesday, a day after Washington's 5-0 home loss to the New York Rangers in Game 7 of a first-round series, the Russian wing says: "Nobody remember losers. Everybody remember only winners."

During Ovechkin's career, Washington has won three of nine playoff series and never advanced past the second round.

Against New York, he scored once in seven games after leading the NHL with 32 goals in the regular season.

Ovechkin declined to put the onus on himself, saying: "In the playoffs, it doesn't matter if you score or not. ... You have to win."