Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin already has won two Hart Trophies as the NHL’s most valuable player. He has led the league in goals scored two years in a row and, in less than five full seasons, already ranks third in that category in the franchise’s 35-year history.
So far, it has been a legendary run for the 24-year-old forward. But is Ovechkin topping himself this season? The numbers suggest that he is.
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Through 51 games, Ovechkin again leads the NHL in goals with 42. That is three more than Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby. Ovechkin also leads the NHL in points with 86. Entering play Tuesday night that was eight more than Vancouver center Henrik Sedin.
Every player who ranks in the top 10 in points has played at least 57 games — six more than Ovechkin. In most cases, Ovechkin’s peers in the top 10 have played in seven or eight more games. That’s because Ovechkin has missed six games due to knee and shoulder injuries and two more to suspension. Yet he still might win a third straight Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy for most goals and a second Art Ross Trophy for most points.
“If you give Alex any chance he’s going to score most of the time,” said Tampa Bay Lightning coach Rick Tocchet after a 3-2 loss to the Caps on Jan. 31.
But the goals and points have always been there for Ovechkin, who posted 106 points as a 20-year-old rookie in 2005-06. It is his other numbers that are ballooning. With 23 games remaining in the regular season, Ovechkin is just 10 assists shy of his career high of 54 — set during that astounding rookie season and tied last year. He should pass that mark easily.
Are his teammates better now? Yes, especially after the signing of veteran free agent Mike Knuble to fill out the top line. Ovechkin didn’t have sublime center Nicklas Backstrom during his first two years in the league, either.
But forward Chris Clark — recently traded to Columbus — scored 50 goals over the course of two seasons playing primarily with Ovechkin in 2005-06 and 2006-07. He hasn’t topped 10 in any other season. Dainius Zubris — playing out of position at center — scored 23 and 20 goals during those two seasons with Ovechkin. Otherwise, his high has been 17.
But the number that stands out is +41. That’s Ovechkin’s plus-minus rating, meaning the Caps have outscored their opponents by 41 goals when he’s been on the ice. No non-Washington player is even close. Defenseman Jeff Schultz (+37) and Backstrom (+32) rank second and third in the NHL. Vancouver’s Alex Burrows is next at +27. The stat says that Ovechkin isn’t simply playing hard on one end of the ice. Last season he was just a +8 — even with 56 goals and 54 assists. He was a -19 during his second season in the NHL. The next year was his best at +28.
bmcnally@washingtonexaminer.com
