ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) - Alex Ovechkin's ice time keeps shrinking in the playoffs, all the way down to a career-low 13½ minutes in Game 2 of the Washington Capitals' Eastern Conference semifinal against the New York Rangers.

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Seems to be working so far.

With the teams tied at a game apiece as they shift to Washington for Game 3 on Wednesday, followed by Game 4 on Saturday, a major topic of conversation is how little two-time NHL MVP Ovechkin is playing. Despite the reduced action, Washington's captain and leading scorer did manage to net the winning goal on a power play in Game 2.

Says Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner: "It doesn't really matter how much he plays. He's going to come up big."

Neither Ovechkin nor coach Dale Hunter spoke to reporters Tuesday.