Photo: NHL.com
After left-wing Alex Ovechkin’s four-point performance in the Washington Capitals’ 5-1 opening night win against the New York Rangers on Wednesday, where he scored twice and passed Marcel Dionne for fifth on the NHL’s goal-scoring list with the 732nd of his career, Sportsnet posted a video of NHL stars discussing the Great Eight’s career as he approaches the top of the list.
“One year, we played him and I don’t think he had a shot on net until 10 minutes left in the third and he still had a hat trick against us,” Montreal Canadiens left-wing Tyler Toffoli, who was on the wrong side of the Capitals’ 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on February 4, 2020, reflected on. Ovechkin scored three times in the final 6:10 of that game after not recording a shot on goal before.
”I think what I respect about him the most is his happiness. No matter if he scores, someone else scorers, no matter what, he’s the happiest man in the world,” Winnipeg Jets center Mark Schiefele chimed in.
”He’s always out there with a smile on his face. He works extremely hard. There’s a lot of power that comes with loving the game and enjoying it when you’re out there,” Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse told Sportsnet.
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews, last season’s Maurice Rocket Richard winner, asked ”His off years are like anybody’s best year, right?” before adding “I hope he breaks that record.”
“One of the most unstoppable players and the most unstoppable shot,” said Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson.
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon echoed Matthews’ comments, saying “I hope he becomes the leading scorer ever. I think it would be great for the game.” He also acknowledged that ”Teams have tried to stop [his shot] for 20 years and they still haven’t figured it out yet.”
You can check out the video below:
By Harrison Brown
His absolute love for the game. Phil mentioned this, Dionne mentioned this. Past greats and current players all comment on his unbridled enthusiasm. His official NHL bio says “He also plays with a joy that few players in any sport can match.” A joy which has lasted for 34 years (Wikipedia:
He was two years old when he first picked up a hockey stick. Whenever a hockey game came on television he would drop whatever he was doing, refusing to allow his parents to change the channel.) Whether it’s his goal or a teammate’s. It’s that passion that has won him so many fans in opposing cities.
Agreed. His joy for others goals has always been as much or even more than his cellys for his own goals.
Nice article…it’s good to see what other fan bases, or even better what other players have to say about Ovi. Here in the DMV, it’s easy to get nonchalant about what Ovi does because we see it all the time. It’s hard to score goals, so don’t take him for granted, we won’t see anything like him playing for the Caps any time soon, if ever! Enjoy him while we can, every last moment!
No doubt, “DC” We need to remind ourselves daily how gigantic an opportunity it is to watch him play, day in and day out.