from Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal,
Alex Ovechkin has 25 goals, in case you haven’t paid attention–nine in his last 10 games.
The stat that jumps out at you, though, is plus 12. That’s a better plus/minus than Sidney Crosby (plus 8) or Ryan Getzlaf (plus 9). Last year the Washington Capitals’ captain scored 51 but was a frosty -35 (third worst in the NHL) which used to be a normal weather day in Edmonton before global warming. Only Steve Ott (minus 38 and Alex Edler minus 39 were worse.
Ovie’s changed defensive posture this season has a lot to do with new coach Barry Trotz who believes in people, even supernovas, back-checking. So did his predecessor Adam Oates, but in team video sessions, the head knock Oates, so the story goes, didn’t always point it out when Ovechkin wasn’t as industrious as he should have been. That undoubtedly was noticed by other players on the team even if they knew it wasn’t a total meritocracy.
Ovechkin likes scoring, but now 29, he likes winning more.
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