Alexander the not so great
How do you improve Alex Ovechkin’s lack of form? The Washington Capitals are struggling massively at the moment and a narrow 4-3 win against the Phoenix Coyotes doesn’t signal that the slump has arrested. Without a doubt, there is a correlation between the two and Ovechkin has to find form to put the Capitals back in the hunt as a major contender.
Ovechkin’s numbers are dreadful: his goal per game (GPG) ratio this year is 0.37 and his assists ratio is 0.42. Looking back over the last 5 season, his GPG ratio has decreased from 0.79. This alarming statistic adds fuel to the speculation that Ovechkin is in decline and I can’t necessarily find a counter argument at present. Great players don’t just stop being great players but Ovechkin must improve his statistics quickly for the Capitals. Not exactly the statistics you want from a $124 million player in year 4 of a 13 year contract.
Some people have mooted that Sidney Crosby’s absence from the NHL has been a de-motivating factor. Ironically, it was a hit from Capitals teammate David Steckel in the Winter Classic that started the hugely over-discussed concussion problems for Crosby. I, personally, don’t believe that has any merit at all. Players of the quality of Ovechkin don’t need a rival to spur them on. They clearly thrive on head-to-head matchups but Crosby’s issues wouldn’t be a concern of Ovechkin’s. Look at Tiger Woods’s hegemony over the world of golf for years. Almost peerless, he drove on for personal and professional gain. More of a rivalry would be with Evgeni Malkin for the “best Russian player” label. Malkin has comeback after his own injury issues and shown the NHL glimpses of how good he actually is. Currently, Malkin is miles in front of Ovechkin as Russia’s best player.
Coach Bruce Boudreau has reminded Ovechkin exactly where he fits in the player versus team size stakes. Boudreau has asked Ovechkin to ‘take one for the team’ by benching him and this inflamed Ovechkin against the Ducks on November 1st. TV cameras clearly picked up Ovechkin firing an expletive filled volley at Boudreau’s direction. Later, Ovechkin said that he had been “ticked off” at the decision but understood it. That statement doesn’t give Capitals fans confidence that coach and star player are attuned. If Boudreau is playing lines that are performing, which I think he should, rather than rolling out the names, Ovechkin may well see less TOI until his form improves. Is his form going to improve whilst sitting on the sidelines?
Ovechkin is currently on a 5 game scoreless streak and has scored 7 times this season which includes 2 two goal games. He is currently 60th in the points leader table and is -5 for the season. Although these statistics would be acceptable to many, for a player of Ovechkin’s stature these are evidence of underperformance. Perhaps, teams have worked out how to play against Ovechkin and he is suffering as a result? Behind the scenes discord at the Capitals may be causing focus on the ice to be lost? In the same way that Sidney Crosby has returned to the NHL to improve it, I would argue that the real Alex Ovechkin needs to return to improve the league too.
