Damisoph
Registered User
- Jun 29, 2010
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He won because he was the number one center and Kessel wasn’t, as well as it being a popularity contest. Crosby was hardly a factor in the finals until that last game, but the voters decide the Smythe winner before that anyway, and it was his third round that narrowly won it for him.
He had 2 assists in 5 games before game 6. You can nit pick these little moments as somewhat significant, but in the end he won based on reputation.
Ovechkin at least had more to show. 27 points in 24 games with 15 goals(first on team), and a great finals performance. Was Kuzy deserving as well? Of course, but it isn’t a travesty that Ovechkin won it, and he certainly was better and a better choice than Crosby in 2016.
I think it is a very similar case to what happened in 2016, but it is interesting that besides Pens fans, no one thinks it was a big deal this year compared to 2016. Just the usual double standard on HF. Kuznetsov was five points ahead of Ovechkin (compared to 2 with Kessel), and scored big GWGs. Also unlike Kessel who's most important series was second round against WSH, Kuznetsov stepped up the most in SCF which typically has higher value.
there was a 3 point difference between Kessel and Crosby, but the difference is if you compare Kessel to Kuzy and Ovechkin to Crosby, the Washington duo is clearly superior. People just like to reach and find other variables like "game winning goals" and "defense" for Crosby's deserving. but Ovechkin was a very impressive PPG(compared to Crosby) and lead his team in goals(15).....AND finally had a very impressive finals compared to Crosby.I think it is a very similar case to what happened in 2016, but it is interesting that besides Pens fans, no one thinks it was a big deal this year compared to 2016. Just the usual double standard on HF. Kuznetsov was five points ahead of Ovechkin (compared to 2 with Kessel), and scored big GWGs. Also unlike Kessel who's most important series was second round against WSH, Kuznetsov stepped up the most in SCF which typically has higher value.
-Ovi doesnt even set up plays. He just shoots. And shoots. And shoots. Then the powerplay and he shoots every shot on goal.
-Goals certainly matter
-But when you shoot 2787893472389742389423794237 times and you have the worst shooting accuracy of any elite player of all time as Ovechkin does and when the Pens constantly beat Washington minus 1 year, I wont remember Ovechkin for anything except him shooting 50 shots per game and the rest of his team shoots 2.
-Ovi doesnt even set up plays. He just shoots. And shoots. And shoots. Then the powerplay and he shoots every shot on goal.
-Ill give Ovi credit. He is far and large the highest volume shooter in any sport all time and its not even close. Not even Michael Jordan when he was unstoppable shot and ballhogged shooting like Ovi. At least he has 1 cup though. Certainly isnt 3 going on 4.
Haha so bitter about losing. Delicious. Keep it coming. Best part of beating the pens is posts like these.
I just think Kessels value is very unappreciated, and the only logic people like to run to is the fact that he wasn't getting the tougher match ups, but his line was still making the biggest difference.Had you said he's the captain that would make more sense. Being a center/#1 center doesn't mean squat. Case in point, Ovechkin over Kuznetsov. Ovechkin isn't the #1 center, but he is the captain.
The nitpick part that should sway all is the fact teams couldn't put all their efforts into three #1 lines. Kessel being the #3 number one line saw the least of the matchups.
Every team puts their best on Sid. There is no debate about it when coaches say they do it.
It's the pecking order, the path of limiting the most damage.
I'd say the media was 50/50 and even leaning towards Kessel before the finals.
Easy to be bitter when a good amount of posters including @Ageless said Ovechkin will NEVER win the cup. Ageless was saying Ovie is just a Dionne at best.
Bingo.
In those cases, neither was a bad choice. Just, imo, there was a better choice.
I hate this thread because Ovie was excellent in the playoffs. To suggest he is the worst CS winner ever is completely moronic.
Joe Neiuwendyk in '99 might be the biggest whiff I've seen. Balfour was easily the MVP of the playoffs but it was Eddie the Eagle. After receiving the trophy Joe even skated directly over to Eddie to say something.
Crosby looked like a deer in headlights as Ovie carved through his team like a warm knife through a butter stick. Pens fans were so pissed that Ovie destroyed their team they are still trying to discredit his Smythe!-I wanted Washington to win when they beat the Penguins. Makes Crosby look even better beating Washington all those years
Um not every goal has an assist , goals are rarer than assists as well so yeah, between Player A: 100G 0A and Player B: 0G 100A, I think every single player on this site would take Player A. Shall I make a poll to prove it?an assist is worth just as much as a goal on the stat sheet, how many goals would ovie have without kuznetsov setting him up?
It has been used as an argument for a long time. And it was always asinine.Apparently now shooting percentage is being used as an argument? Ok
-Hard to be bitter when the Penguins have destroyed Washington for 30+ years.
I watched every minute of every Caps game. I think the Caps had 4 or 5 guys that were fantastic in the playoffs. Ovi was very good. Not sure he was the best. Kuzy was very dynamic and controlled the play whenever he touched the puck. Holtby was very solid. The turning point for the Caps in these playoffs was when Holtby started game 3 of the Columbus series. It they stuck with Grubauer the Caps dont get by the first round and we wouldn't even be having this discussion.Troll thread mods should lock and ban.
Ovie was easily best player to anyone watching. Holtby wasn't consistent enough and Kuznetsov was only impressive on stat sheet.
One of the best Smythes since lockout.
-Hard to be bitter when the Penguins have destroyed Washington for 30+ years.
I just think Kessels value is very unappreciated, and the only logic people like to run to is the fact that he wasn't getting the tougher match ups, but his line was still making the biggest difference.
like you said, their depth was insane and it was to much to handle. I think their success had more to do with the fact that there was so much talent and scoring outside of Crosby's line, rather the fact that Crosby was on the first line to begin with
same way Crosby won over Kessel
Didn't Ovy spring Kuzy for the game 7 GWG? I could easily be wrong but that was a Humongous goal.I think one of the larger factors in Crosby winning in 2016 (and the argument for Kuzy in 2018) was that he happened to factor into the most crucial goals. I'd say that's even more true of Kuznetsov in 2018, Ovechkin was getting points but Kuznetsov seemed to be creating out of nothing in the most important moments.