ovechkin does not need to be in his prime to score the most goals or play mvp caliber in a series.
The bigger question is if any of these kids will put a kungfu grip on the Rocket like Ovie did once Ovie starts regressing.
2018 playoffs were 6 years ago?
Are you having problems reading?
I spent specifically referenced those 7 games were not like the past 6 seasons.
Even the claim that he was the best player in the league based on those 7 games....Really?
The poster you replied to said OV can be the best player in the game and quoted that 7 game series for proof. You implied the last 6 seasons have more weight than that 7 game series. So I asked if the 2018 playoffs, in which OV was the best player, happened 6 years ago?
And I don't know what 6 years ago has to do with today, but if you want to use 6 seasons, in that time OV has a smythe, 5 rockets, hart runner up, 3 other top 10 finishes, 2x 1st AST, 2x 2nd AST, 2x 3rd AST. Let me know how many players have a better resume in that time frame and ask anyone if that "isn't a force".
the field. it is always better to bet on the field than favourite
No one said he was, why even bring that up? The point was stated for people saying he's going to regress when he's an offseason removed from still being the best goal scorer in the league rather easily coasting into the postseason where he was STILL the best player through the first round against a team that went to the ECF. He also did this with almost no help this postseason, his team was trash.Yes we should look at a single 7 game sample and if more the last 6 years?
Ovechkin isn't a force like he was in his peak and it's not even close even if he remains the best goalscorer in the NHL right now.
I'm actually going to revise my OP and say that Ovy doesn't win the rocket next year.
No one said he was, why even bring that up? The point was stated for people saying he's going to regress when he's an offseason removed from still being the best goal scorer in the league rather easily coasting into the postseason where he was STILL the best player through the first round against a team that went to the ECF. He also did this with almost no help this postseason, his team was trash.
Kuznetsov learning his lesson and getting his head on straight only bodes well for Ovechkin. He's going to walk away with the Rocket again.
What is exaggerated about his play in the first round? Other than Nathan MacKinnon he was easily the best player which shows he's not slowing down at all. Nothing points to him regressing at this stage yet you keep stating that's going to happen.Funny that you respond saying that no one said that Ovechkin was still a force then you procede to say and exaggerate that for the 7 game sample against the Canes.
Maybe I'm missing the satirical nature of this post?
What is exaggerated about his play in the first round? Other than Nathan MacKinnon he was easily the best player which shows he's not slowing down at all. Nothing points to him regressing at this stage yet you keep stating that's going to happen.
Not sure how you don't comprehend the difference between "still a force" and "as good as he was in his prime force" Reading is fun.
What is exaggerated about his play in the first round? Other than Nathan MacKinnon he was easily the best player which shows he's not slowing down at all. Nothing points to him regressing at this stage yet you keep stating that's going to happen.
Not sure how you don't comprehend the difference between "still a force" and "as good as he was in his prime force" Reading is fun.
How come?I can see Laine bouncing back... but I have to wonder about his focus and commitment to hockey right now as well as his health.
How come?
Okay my bad I mistakenly was thinking of last springs playoffs against Carolina.
But let's be clear about 2 things here.
1) His Conn Smythe was a "narrative" award much like Crosby's Conn Smythe as both are the face of their franchises.
Other Washingron players played as important or more important roles in the 2018 playoffs.
He was also second those playoffs in points. Top 5 in hits. Blocked shots. Played very solid defense. Provided leadership and fueled the team with his raw emotion. Also was involved in some very big game deciding goals. Yes he finished 4 points behind Kuznetsov in scoring but overall his contribution to the team was unmatched. The Smythe was very well deserved.Ovechkin led the playoffs in goals that year.... so no.
Ovechkin led the playoffs in goals that year.... so no.
Everyone knew that if the Caps won the SC Ovechkin was getting the Conn Smythe.
Of course they did, he deserved it.
There are definitely some very strong parallels between Crosby and Ovechkin's smythes in 2016 and 2018.
Both had a teammate outscore them who some felt should have won the smythe instead. Instead, the bigger 'name' won it.
For what it's worth - I agree with the 2 winners and think they both deserved it above Kessel and Kuznetsov.
Also - this doesn't mean that Crosby's smythe in 2016 was as strong as Ovechkin's in 2018 - Ovechkin was better. Still - similar story.
Unequivocally yes to both and other than Ovechkin's line in that Canes series, the other 3 couldn't even get their puck out of their own end. So ya, he didn't get any help bud, did you watch the series?and yet the false narrative that he had no help from his team mates garbage still?
If only Backstrom could pass the puck or Carlson could be a PP QB right?
Ovechkin had a good 7 game stretch but was it really any better than Mark Stone in the first round?
Or Brad Marchand?
Anyways I'm done with this thread and back to the OP I think that Ovechkin has won his last Richard and will still be an elite goal scorer for a while but father time is catching up.
This is how I know you didn't watch, Kuznetsov was absolute garbage and so was Holtby. Carlson was fine? Backstrom played well but again, their line is the only line that showed up.The exaggeration is that somehow you are overlooking Stone and his 12 points?
Marchand and his 9?
Lack of team support in that Backstrom, Carlson, Holtby and Kuznetsov didn't exactly crap the bed in the first round even if Ovechkin was the best player on the capitals he was a minus 4 in the last 2 elimination games against the Canes.
Also the point is that we should never read a ton into any 7 game stretch, even less so when we are talking about his chances of winning the Richard again, the playoff argument isn't a strong one given that Backstrom had 5 goals to Ovechkins 4.
Heck four other players in another series had 5 goals or more in the first round...see how the playoff sample isn't a good thing to use to translate into next seasons Richard?