WASHINGTON – Capitals’ team captain Alex Ovechkin is complaining about the officiating in the Caps Monday evening loss to the Rangers, which ended the team’s playoff run.

In an interview with Salva Malamud, of Russian paper Sports-Express’, Ovechkin spoke Russian when he said, “I don’t know whether the refs were predisposed against us or the league. But not to give obvious penalties, while for us any little thing was immediately penalized…”

“The refereeing … you understand it yourself. How can there be no penalties at all (on one team) during the playoffs,” Ovechkin said.

He also told the reporter: “I am not saying there was a phone call from (the league), but someone just wanted Game 7. For the ratings. You know, the lockout, escrow, the league needs to make profit.”

Meanwhile, the team announced that Ovie is headed to the world championships playing for Russia.