There are many things that show clearly Ovechkin > Crosby even without an extra Cup
- Ovechkin has a better peak. Even if we take the best full seasons by Crosby (06/07, 13/14, and 09/10), Ovechkin in 07-10 has a bit higher ppg, the same point lead over the field, and way more goals. If we define peak as three best consecutive years, to account for the importance of sustained dominance, it is not close at all, as we will be pitching Crosby's 2012-2015 vs. Ovechkin's 2007-2010.
- Ovechkin had better prime too. Even if we look at their 7 or 9 most productive seasons, the ppg is really close, and Ovechkin's goal-scoring and the fact that he is a goal-scoring winger (and thus will not touch the puck as much and will not get garbage assits from cycling the puck) tip the scales in his favor.
- Ovechkin is more significant historically. His seven-goalscoring titles will not be surpassed for a long time and the same is true about his 7x 50-goal seasons and 9x 45 goal seasons unless they make the nets bigger or smth. We will not have an Ovechkin-caliber goal-scorer probably for decades, and it seems that we already have a better Crosby in McDavid.
- On a smaller note, Ovechkin defines LW position (together with Bobby Hull). It is just impossible to tell the history of hockey without Ovechkin. Crosby, on the other hand? How often do you hear about Mikita and his 4 Art Rosses? Now compare that with 7 goal-scoring titles by Bobby Hull or the first 50-in-50 by Richard.
- Ovechkin compares well with Richard; with a couple 40-goal seasons more, let alone another goal-scoring title, he will have Richard beat at Richard's strongest suite (goal-scoring) and will leap-frog him in all-time rankings, and Richard is everyone's top10 ever. Crosby, on the other hand, is hardly better than Mikita, since Mikita was so much better in regular season that Crosby's Cups and Smythes cannot overcome that, and nobody has Mikita in top10 ever.