The Progression of Eight
Following the 2004-05 NHL Lockout, Alexander Ovechkin entered the National Hockey League and it would never be the same again. On October 5, 2005 Ovechkin made his highly anticipated debut and immediately made an impact, notching two goals in a 3-2 victory. That, as they say, is a fine ‘how-do-ya-do?’ The Ovechkin Era had officially begun.
To say that Ovechkin has taken the NHL by storm would be an understatement. From highlight reel goal to highlight reel goal, Ovechkin has already etched his place as one of the greats – yet at only 23 years of age, there is still much more to come.
In his rookie season, “Alexander the Great” tallied a remarkable 52 goals and 106 points. This coming from the player who Florida Panthers GM Rick Dudley attempted to draft illegally in 2003, claiming that leap years compensated for Ovechkin being just shy of the cutoff. You have to give Dudley credit: it was a nice try.
With such an incredible rookie season under his belt, it almost seemed dissapointing when he finished the following year with only 92 points. 21 years old at the time, it seemed simply mind-boggling.
And that’s just his on-ice play. Off the ice, he is a one-of-a-kind character. Remember the NHL commercial where he humorously attempted to get a trapped bag of potato chips out of a vending machine? Or how about the widely popular “room service” piece, where, throughout the entire commercial he lists items he’d like to order off a menu, then, when finally asked whose room it is to be billed to, matter-of-factly replies “Sidney Crosby.” And of course, we all remember the famous All-Star Breakaway Challenge where he threw on a pair of over-sized sunglasses and had Evgeni Malkin wipe him down and give him a squirt of Gatorade before skating in on the goaltender with one stick too many. Oh Alex, where will the hilarity end? But that’s just Ovechkin; he has a passion for the game of hockey like no other.
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Shenanigans aside, on the ice is where Ovechkin does the majority of his talking. The 2007-2008 season saw number eight complete his best outing to date, notching 65 goals and 112 points. What was most compelling about that season, however, was that for the first time in the Ovechkin Era, the Washington Capitals had made it to the post-season. It took Ovechkin only three years to bring the lacklustre Capitals up from Southeast Division dwellers to playoff contenders. They beat out Carolina for the Southeast crown and the Ovechkin-led Caps were officially headed to the big dance.
The division title gave Washington the No. 3 seed and a first round date with Philadelphia. (Ironically, the Flyers actually finished with more points). In his first ever playoff game, in typical Ovechkin fashion, Alex potted the game-winner with less than five minutes to play in regulation. The teams were very evenly matched and combined for one of the most exciting series of the 2008 playoffs. Although they were ousted in seven games, Ovechkin was able to muster nine points in the series. While it was a disappointing finish for the Caps, Ovechkin got his first taste of playoff defeat and without question would be back for vengeance.
In the 2008-09 campaign, it took Ovechkin just 70 games to pot 50 goals, making him the first ever Washington Capital to have three 50-goal seasons as part of their squad. But there is a big difference when comparing this season to last. Rather than squeaking into the playoffs at the last second, Washington is a virtual lock to win the Southeast and is currently amidst a battle to take down the top seed in the East.
Indeed, this time around the Capitals are a legitimate threat – and all others should be put on notice. Ovechkin is playing some of his best hockey ever, and it is almost scary to think about what he could do in the post-season. After having the taste of playoff defeat festering in his gullet for almost a year, the wiry Russian will be taking names and taking numbers – and scoring goals by the barrel-full. With a supporting cast that includes names like Nicklas Backstrom, Alexander Semin and Mike Green, Washington is poised to make its mark on the 2009 playoffs.
And let us not forget the “ace in the hole,” goaltender Jose Theodore. Toward the end of the 2001-2002 season and carrying over into the playoffs, Theodore put on a goaltending clinic, taking home both the Vezina and Hart trophy in the process. Could it be possible that Theodore has a repeat performance tucked away, desperately yearning to enter the forefront? Now is as good a time as ever.
That being said, Alex Ovechkin is indeed ready – ready to make some noise in the upcoming quest for Stanley’s Cup. Fifteen other teams are advised to put themselves on notice – because, ladies and gentleman, here comes Alex.
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