NHL Insights: Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby and John Tavares
These Superstars Still Showing They Got Game
Welcome to another edition of NHL Insights. As the regular season comes to an end and the Stanley Cup Playoffs are right around the corner, we look at some milestones this season from some of the league's veteran players.
In this edition, we dive into the play of Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, and John Tavares.
Every season, there are milestones that players will achieve in the course of their career. This season, we have seen two of the greats pass two of Wayne Gretzky’s records in the midst of two weeks. One was the all-time goals mark, and the other included the most points per game seasons. Not to mention, there is another player who is the model of consistency, as he closes in on the 40-goal mark.
Many eyes have been on the NHL recently, with the sport in a good place. Thus, having two of the game's faces achieve major milestones keeps the momentum rolling.
Again, in this edition of NHL Insights, we look at the play of Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, and John Tavares
It's time to dive into some NHL Insights for this week.
NHL Insights: Crosby, Ovechkin, and Tavares
Alex Ovechkin
What a week for Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. The Great Eight broke the All-Time Record for most goals held by The Great One by scoring his 895th goal against the New York Islanders, passing Wayne Gretzky, who recorded 894 goals.
Back on Friday, April 4th, Ovechkin tied Gretzky with 894 goals. Ovechkin needed a hat trick. Instead of shooting at the empty net to get it, he waited until there was a goalie back in the net. He finally beat Ilya Sorokin for his 895th goal, and of course, it came on the power play.
Most people thought that when Ovechkin signed his current five-year deal, it would just be about the record. However, the Capitals are challenging for the Presidents’ Trophy and are in first place in the Metro Division. He is having fun and still loves the game of hockey.
The celebration after recording goal 895 said it all. It was similar to how he won the Stanley Cup when he jumped into the fountain in Las Vegas. At 39 years old, he is still a kid at heart. Ovechkin needed 42 goals entering the season, and he did it with his 14th 40-goal season.
Oh, by the way, he passed Jaromir Jagr for most game-winning goals with his 136th the other night when the Capitals defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 5-3. Ovechkin is doing all of this after missing 16 games with a broken leg. Just remarkable.
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Sidney Crosby
What can we say about Sidney Crosby that has not already been said? "Sid the Kid", who is no longer a kid, continues to amaze the hockey world at age 37. Crosby joined Alex Ovechkin by breaking a mark held by Wayne Gretzky this season as well.
Last week, Crosby set the record by averaging a point per game for the last 20 seasons. He had been tied with Gretzky, who had 19 seasons averaging a point per game. And Crosby has not slowed down this season, even with the Pittsburgh Penguins eliminated from Stanley Cup Playoff contention.
Crosby has 86 points (30 goals and 56 assists) in 76 games with the Penguins. He missed a couple of games due to injury, but was outstanding for Team Canada at the Four Nations Faceoff. Ever since the injury, Crosby has been on fire, showing that the 37-year-old is still one of the best players in the league.
Crosby is ninth all-time on the list for most career points in the NHL with 1,682 (622 goals and 1,060 assists). He passed Joe Sakic this season. The next two in front of him are two of his idols, Mario Lemieux (1,723) and Steve Yzerman (1,755). There is a chance he passes both of them and Marcel Dione (1771) next season.
When it is all said and done, Crosby could be fifth all-time in points, passing Ron Francis (1,798). The question will be, can he pass Mr. Hockey Gordie Howe at 1,850 points?
John Tavares
Then there is John Tavares. He has been a model of consistency with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Through 69 games, Tavares has 70 points (36 goals and 34 assists). He is closing in on his second 40-goal campaign and first since his first season with the club.
At 34 years old, he is not slowing down heading into the offseason as an unrestricted free agent. Tavares is believed to stay and sign a three-year deal. However, the cost could range between $6 million and $8 million a season.
Tavares, the fourth member of the Maple Leafs' core four, plays like the team captain, even though he does not wear a letter. He has lifted his team to so many victories this season. It is amazing where the Maple Leafs would be without his performance in the faceoff dot.
He is fourth on the team in scoring and second on the team behind William Nylander in goals. Tavares leads the team in faceoff winning percentage at 58.5 percent. It feels like the Maple Leafs can’t afford to lose such a valuable player in free agency because they don’t have a second-line center to replace him.
Despite the NHL being a young man’s game, these older players are showing they are still some of the best.
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