How Good Was PRIME Alexander Ovechkin Actually?

[@TheJaguarGod]

Alex Ovechkin was one of the best players in his prime. He could hit like a monster truck, he had an elite shot and release, he had the speed, and he had the passing abilities. We will never see another player that complete.

[@TheHockeyVault]

Redefined being a forward

[@WithScienceAsMySheperd]

really good, the best overall in his prime was Jaromir Jagr, better at talent stuff than Mark Messier, just not as much a leader. And MORE robust by a lot than Wayne Gretzky. To me Jagr stands as the ultimate modern player. Nobody compares to me

[@owenposer6720]

Um didn’t he play in the same era as Sidney Crosby? Who is arguably one of if not the best all around player?

[@noahbrown6961]

I feel like the closest thing we have to prime Ovi is Mackinnon. Both run people over like freight trains

[@TheJaguarGod]

Mackinnon doesnt hit as much as ovechkin. Ovechkin hits a lot@@noahbrown6961

[@HockeyTruther]

Prime ovechkin was the most offensively threatening player ever on the ice. He was never the most complete player in the league but definitely the best pure goal scorer we’ve ever seen

[@TheJaguarGod]

NO i am better than oven cicken

[@kenw2225]

Some people thought Crosby was better, but he couldn't play cause he had a headache. My girl whines about headaches too

[@glenmcreynolds1818]

its not a left wingers job to the most "complete".

[@RunForPeace-hk1cu]

What do you think a winger should do? 😂😂😂 He has just been doing his job

[@glenmcreynolds1818]

@@RunForPeace-hk1cu exactly! People who compare him to all NHL centers like Crosby are idiots. They play completely different positions.

[@TheDCGuitar13]

He was so good at scoring that people forget he was an elite passer for a good chunk of his career. He did it all. He destroyed defenders, he deked, the one timers, the shots between defenders legs. It was like nothing I’ve ever seen. He made people believe a mediocre capitals team was a contender for so many years. The fact that he still was racking up 40 goal seasons as recent as last season is absurd to me. Guys who hit like him don’t last long. Yet here he is. Ovie the great 8 is one of one.

[@ethanparker7900]

tell me about it all those people who say he is selfish and doesn't pass couldn't be more wrong and they just say stuff out of pure stupidity and ignorance

[@TheDCGuitar13]

@@ethanparker7900 that pass to kuz for the win vs the penguins will live in my heart forever

[@ethanparker7900]

@@TheDCGuitar13 yessirr that is a perfect example of what an underrated passer he is

[@AlwaysHalloween000]

I don't forget nothing I'm a Stanford Grad (IQ 151) whose field of expertise is stattiscal forensics. Ovi is a horrendous +44 in 19 seasons as an NHL player (Context Gretzky is +520 one on one) 73% of Ovi's[points came on the power He was a 5 on 5 even strength disaster Hey DCGUITAR care to take me on?? I'm waiting for you *WAITS*

[@AlwaysHalloween000]

I'm Waiting Tough Guy

[@theroseexperience]

If prime Ovechkin was playing in the last 4 years of hockey he'd have 70 goals a year and flirting with 120 points every single season easily. He'd be demolishing the NHL ever more than he did in the mid 2000's. Ovechkin has lost 1.5 seasons to lockout and almost another entirely to COVID, he'd be flirting with 1000 goals all things considered, he's already firmly placed as the GOAT goal scorer

[@michaelshields6326]

I think he would hit 130-140 points at least once. He had 109 in 72 games (122 point pace) in 09/10 when scoring was much lower. That's a 60+ goal, 135 point season in today's scoring environment.

[@АндрюхаКу-л5щ]

Ты связь с реальностью потерял. Какие 70 голов?

[@theroseexperience]

@@АндрюхаКу-л5щ In the modern game where guys are closing in on 70 annually now, prime Ovechkin would do this in the modern league.

[@C4PSOW]

As a caps fan I have no clue what I’ll do once he leaves

[@brendan9868]

It’ll never be the same again, but honestly our prospect pool is looking promising with Miroshenchenko, Leonard and Chesley, same goes for our younger guys on the roster already like McMichael, Lapierre and Sandin. It’s looking like the eventual rebuild isn’t going to be as brutal as I imagined it a few years back, but we’ll have to wait and see lol

[@melissalach7931]

Same

[@jacoballen4189]

We’re going to cry for a week straight

[@dennismakarov93]

Cry lol

[@k20a_dave]

i'll cry like a baby when he retires.

[@PuckProfiles]

Man, its actually crazy that someone is coming close to beating Gretzky's scoring record in the NHL.

[@tylerfish6206]

You think it will happen? I personally don’t

[@TheHockeyVault]

With the way he's slowed down, most likely not. But still cool that it's a possibility

[@ljummingen]

He’s beating it

[@TheHockeyVault]

@@ljummingen Would be amazing to see!

[@gilly7038]

@@TheHockeyVaultyou guys do realize he will not retire until he beats it right

[@pepsigodd4209]

The Calder is one of the most important Trophy to win, because you only have 1 chance to win it

[@TheHockeyVault]

That is some true facts

[@dox8148]

While I agree, your rookie season won’t define your legacy

[@Ivan.80p]

He's the greatest pro athlete Washington DC has ever had. No other DC pro athlete has the accolades that Ovi has. I'll miss him dearly once he retires.

[@davidgoodman4208]

Pretty much him and Sammy Baugh or Walter Johnson. That's the list.

[@Mayor_Of_Eureka17]

3 months later, Ovi has blown the league back up baby!! Still the best in the league.

[@surudog4929]

Ovi is the GOAT. He is something. His last 15 years has been just magical, pure determination, skill and domination. Go Ovi and get to the 900 goals.

[@dominikprazak609]

Sid>

[@kenw2225]

Oh, no I can't guys, I got a headache , sid?? LOL he was the 4 best player on his own team. That is when he didn't sit out with headaches

[@dominikprazak609]

@@kenw2225 u mean a concussion? Lmao, that ain't a headache. And he was by far the best player on his team and in the league😂. Try again

[@ImAGoldenGod-yx6by]

Gretzky has more assists than any other player in the NHL has points and you say OVI is the GOAT? 😂Not to mention Gretzky was defensively responsible ~ He's a + 544 all-time in 5 on 5 situations. Ovi is +44 - you figure out the math

[@surudog4929]

@@ImAGoldenGod-yx6by goalies in Gretzky’s era were amateurs. Today’s goalies are 10x better than the ones Gretzky went against. If Ovi was playing in the 80s, he would have scored 2000 goals.

[@ethanparker7900]

Ovi plays with a his heart on his sleeve. Can score, pass, hit, make players around him better, welcome new teammates with open arms and helps a lot in his community off the ice. Guy has won literally everything anyone would kill to have him on their team. His main generational rivals Crosby and Stamkos too. Their generation will live out for decades to come and we'll never see a trio like this again once they all call it quits.

[@tylerlawer8750]

When did Stamkos get brought into this. It’s Malkin as the third.

[@ethanparker7900]

well he basically is ovechkin 2.0 with his style of play and malkin is only comapred cause they're both russian. I am not talking nationality I am talking about talent and style of play@@tylerlawer8750

[@jeremy9717]

@@tylerlawer8750yeah I felt like malkin has always had a rivalry as well

[@jacoballen4189]

No mention of Patty Kane I see

[@ethanparker7900]

he doesn't have a firece rivalry with ovi like those guys do. But yes he certainly is up there too when talking ab generational greats @@jacoballen4189

[@TheJREworld]

When it came to fantasy hockey, prime ovi will be remembered

[@NhlHeroOfficial]

Ovi was just something else back in his heyday - he was built like a tank and hit just as hard, but then he'd turn around and snipe a goal from his signature spot on the power play. His shot was just unfair - that quick release off the half-wall was basically unstoppable. And people forget he could really fly up and down the ice too. The crazy thing is he wasn't just a pure scorer - he could thread beautiful passes when he wanted to. That combination of physicality, scoring touch, speed, and playmaking... we're probably not gonna see another player quite like him. He was truly one of a kind.

[@wresling300]

2005-2010 Ovechkin was one of the most dominant player in NHL history.

[@Buffetparrothead-y5j]

Sober Up dude - Just for starters # 99 Gretzky had 92 GOALS / 120 Assists and was a +80 in 1981 .. Over the next 4 years he had 283 GOALS and 541 Assists.. 3 CUPS and 4 League MVP's

[@wresling300]

@@Buffetparrothead-y5j I said one of, not the best

[@Buffetparrothead-y5j]

@@wresling300 Sorry misread it. Yes certainty one of the best and definitely one of the top 1,2,3, wingers ever

[@АндрейДегтярёв-т4р]

Ovechkin lost 2 years due to the lockout and another season of the Covid pandemic. If not for this, he would have already broken Gretzky's record.

[@fk4410]

He would be well on his way to 1000

[@ThePowerPlace]

Is anyone present following the most exciting start to Alex's 2024-2025 season?

[@duaneday5474]

Hoisting the cup transformed him into Gandalf the Grey 😂

[@hueywarren4778]

The celebration after aged him a decade, he set the bar for cup cellys now

[@nightrain9288]

In his prime he was the best player I've ever seen.

[@gulpp5052]

Prime Ovi might just be the best player ever. so glad i got to grow up with him as a face of my favourite sport. a true sports legend and GOAT

[@jonathandurand8640]

that saucer pass from nicklas between 3 vegas leading in a 1timer goal to me was a crazy pass prob ma favorite ever

[@TheHockeyVault]

Was sick!

[@Ametherius]

Backstrom was so criminally underrated for his whole career. Only 1 ASG I believe but that guy was imh, not even just cause I’m a caps fan, but just overall the best passer I’ve seen in a long time. He could make the hardest passes look like a piece of cake. There’s a reason Ovi has so many goals.

[@templetonbob]

Those first 4ish years in the league he was absolutely phenomenal.

[@TheHockeyVault]

Insane

[@theroseexperience]

It was a lot longer than that, he's a 3 time MVP and the most decorated individual player of his era by a lot.

[@michaelshields6326]

​@@theroseexperienceHe was never the same player after 09/10. His first 5 years he was not only the best goal scorer but also the best all around offensive player, capable of winning the Rocket Richard and the Art Ross. He was more one dimensional after that point. His game went from Bobby Hull to Brett Hull.

[@thegoughandbordenfamily8234]

@@michaelshields6326 Brett Hull being one of the greatest to ever lace em up. Ovi had those first fantastic 4 years with Green and Semin who were actual stars. Once they left Ovi had do to everything on his own with a bunch of secondary players.

[@michaelshields6326]

@@thegoughandbordenfamily8234 His fall off started long before they left.

[@roberthicks2909]

Great video! Amazing detail, particularly where speaking about ovi's intimidation fa tor while showing a highlight where the dman backed off and let ovi score so he didnt get railed

[@VasjaOblomov]

To be so durable with his physical play and to score so many in a low goal era, that's what really impresses me.

[@KaleFGB]

Best player I’ve seen since Mario at the time. Now McDavid is that

[@lacedjunglejuice]

Im just gonna say, I’m a leafs fan been my whole life, but my all time favourite player of all time is Alexander Ovechkin. The best modern day goal scorer of all time.

[@Whatdoyouwant904]

Imo if Ovi played against the goalies of the 70’s and 80’s he’d have 1000 goals.

[@TheHockeyVault]

For sure, but deffs a different game back then

[@Whatdoyouwant904]

@@TheHockeyVault yeah no disrespect to the legends of that time, just a thought I’ve had

[@TheHockeyVault]

@@Whatdoyouwant904 I think like that too. With all the modern training techniques and things learned, the average player is better than ever. Imagine Crosby, Ovechkin, and Matthews in the 90's. The goal-scoring would be insane!

[@rolieg81]

But dont' forget, there is no Ovie without Bure, Fedorov, Mogilny......

[@brdy85]

Could he shoot with those skates, those gloves, those sticks? Thats the question , yes weaker Goalies but also weaker weapons.

[@grandtheftautoandstuff3744]

Now he’s 20 goals away

[@thomasstephens7293]

With players like Ovechkin it's hard not to wonder how good he could have been if Gretzky was his centerman.

[@David_j1991]

I believe had the NHL not had two lockouts during Ovechkins career he’d be beyond 900 at this point.

[@eiscue2601]

Lets never forget that ovi have one trophy that syd can never have

[@jburr2468]

What makes him so damn good is that he is so damn good.

[@HuyNguyen-ck7hl]

Prime Ovechkin could drive play as a winger who wasn’t great defensively is a remarkable feat unto itself.

[@mikejaoude5496]

Prime Ovechkin won three Ted Lindsays in a row... IN A LEAGUE WITH PRIME SIDNEY CROSBY. If that doesn't tell you how good he is, nothing will.

[@maxa8838]

Well said. Something to think about

[@JacobMcClure-y6m]

Saw his famous 4 goal game against Tampa in person. In terms of what I've seen live? I've never seen anyone be able to take over a game on his own the way he used to. You have to remember how bad those early DC teams were. Pittsburgh drafted Flower, Malkin and Crosby with their 1st pics in a span of 3 years. So when people point to the Penguins early success I point to their front office for being brilliant in that period. Washington had a carousel in net until Holtby came along. In person I've never seen a player like him.

[@Happy_guy123]

Speed, speed and speed. When he was young, he was a lightning bolt, like Connor Mcdavid. It was so different back then, he still is one of the greatest but obviously it was different when he was young.

[@ernie8401]

ovi, Sid, Geno and Kane were unstoppable!!

[@jungkotlx8805]

Video for Iginla please :')

[@jungkotlx8805]

+1 sub. Great content

[@KevinBYee]

The speed and jump he had on rushes back then was a sight to behold... his greatest accomplishment is staying ALMOST as dominant even after he lost that.

[@jasonfu2094]

I always forget he missed his rookie season and how that impacts the chase for goals record. I know the year after the lockout scoring went up after rule changes, and at that age Ovi was probably getting bigger and stronger every time he hit the weight room. We could conservatively guessed he would have had 30-35 goals added to his monster total(leading goal scorers year before lockout in dead puck era were Iginla, Kovalchuk, and Nash at 41 goals each).

[@whereschavo3953]

he is the greatest goal scorer the game has ever seen, anyone who doubts that is just being disingenuous.

[@colinarner790]

He was easily the best I have ever seen. He doesn’t change teams and to me that is a really big deal.

[@catrissia]

Was??? My man have you seen him lately? He may have lost a step or two but he is still damn good.

[@RodCalidge]

Your title should be " How good IS Alex Ovechkin?" The "old" guy has only scored 120+ goals in the last 3 seasons.

[@WilliamTheHeretic]

Great vid! Do Lemieux #66.

[@TheHockeyVault]

I'll put it on the list!

[@WilliamTheHeretic]

@@TheHockeyVault When you get to it, do the math on his points per season if he had played all 80 - 82 games. It is extraordinary and proof that he was the all time greatest player ever. 1000+ goals and 2000+ assists. and wait till you see his Laval points in 200 games.

[@ThiccGungan]

Imagine if his first year was there. He’d already have crushed the record

[@maxa8838]

When choosing alltime greatest lineup, it's hard to say who is best center, defense, goalie... there is so many great options but one thing is easy to say that who has a spot there... left wing, #8 Alex Ovechkin. Top5 greatest player ever.

[@HydrixTheory]

Crazy thing is ovi and Crosby could have been on the same team

[@sunesnigel]

No mentioning of Bäckström assisting 279 of his 826 goals???

[@rolieg81]

Gotta be top 10 alltime for me.

[@TheHockeyVault]

No Doubt

[@vincentboucher2770]

I think he is at least top 5 to ever play the game

[@justusnixx]

great video, only question is, why use football club logo at 2.12? it even has the ball on it and FC (football club) just seemed funny)

[@psycho479]

Top 5 all time

[@funkytownjedi]

Amazing actually 🎉🎉😊

[@ExplorationRandomDestination]

If overcoming was in his prime this season I think he would have more goals than Mathew’s atm.

[@enchanted2k797]

Best non Canadian of all time

[@ImAGoldenGod-yx6by]

Not even close to Nicklas Lidström

[@maximefraisier1010]

Ovy is the greatest hockey player in the last 20 years, no a single doubt in my mind. Would have give anything to have this kind of player on my team (habs).

[@TheHockeyVault]

Really changed the forward position with his insane offensive capabilities and physicality. So glad he was able to win a cup and prove all the doubters wrong

[@dominikprazak609]

Crosby clears

[@josephhopkins2851]

Best 2 way forward in NHL history. It's not even close.

[@ImAGoldenGod-yx6by]

Sober Up dude. In 5 on 5 situations Ovi is a pathetic + 44 after all those years. For context Gretzky is an incredible +520

[@simoncohen9323]

Best two way forward is datsyuk

[@BSland]

90's Russia was brutal, Ovi grew up there

[@степанбарановский-б9с]

Когда Овечкин начал играть в НХЛ, Бедард только родился

[@trav7917]

He's pretty tight for sure

[@TheHockeyVault]

Very tight

[@v4v819]

When he was in his prime?! He's just getting better and better with age! Forget this off season everyone has it. This guy is a beast and got a nose for the net that never goes away... Mark my words he will have a huge comeback season next year and i predict he got one more 60+ goal season in him!!!!!

[@brendan9868]

He’s definitely gonna have a bounce back next year, he’s already picking it up again this season. Whole team’s having a rough year, first time in a while they don’t even have a player hovering around a point per game. Have a feeling it’s got to do with the growing pains of bringing in a new coach and the youngest in the league at that.

[@Wesche22]

LMAO, I'll be back for this one, no way this guy hits 60 in the next 2 seasons, mark my words!

[@kashshhds8824]

Lowkey he’s on pace for like 62 goals so maybe

[@recoveryfishing364]

Best player in the league. I despised this man.

[@TheHockeyVault]

We all did, every time he played our favourite teams 😂

[@roycef6632]

hes the best

[@user-yi9hz3or2t]

Ovi was the best player in the league the seasons he scored 56 and 65

[@enchanted2k797]

🐐🐐🐐

[@orxanomerli7]

I mean usually videos with this title are related to sportsmen who were good two three seasons and then declined 😄 if you talk about Alex, you can’t ask it like that. Haha prime Ovi should be maybe top 10

[@ryelystomp2354]

i watched about 5 seconds and heard joe b sound like hamster so i paused now i am commented and leaving cheers =)

[@WithScienceAsMySheperd]

really good, the best overall in his prime was Jaromir Jagr, better at talent stuff than Mark Messier, just not as much a leader. And MORE robust by a lot than Wayne Gretzky. To me Jagr stands as the ultimate modern player. Nobody compares to me if JAGR had not lost 4 years during his career ( 2-3 to lockouts) and 2 to the KHL i think, he would be to others the GOAT, like he is to my heart

[@TheHockeyVault]

It's crazy how many different eras Jagr has played through ahaha

[@WithScienceAsMySheperd]

@@TheHockeyVault like Messier and Henri Richard... only Gordie Howe is cleanly ahead

[@АндрейДегтярёв-т4р]

I really love Jaromir as a person and an athlete, but Ovechkin also lost 2 years due to the lockout and another season of the Covid pandemic. If not for this, he would have already broken Gretzky's record. Despite this record, their talent is equally priceless to me. Greetings from Russia.

[@JackBleacher-d7p]

Greatest EVER

[@neres5795]

Nah

[@JackBleacher-d7p]

@@neres5795 yeah bruh

[@JackBleacher-d7p]

@@neres5795 yes today's players would crap on Wayne

[@ImAGoldenGod-yx6by]

Lame casual

[@T-Alex81]

2:13 didn't you see it's a football(soccer) club?

[@ChannelMath]

Pretty sure they had "glittering sports arenas" in Moscow in the 80's. It's not like he was born in some backwards place like, say, Winnipeg.

[@devongiguere3721]

Do Jaromir Jagr!

[@TheHockeyVault]

I'll put it on the list!

[@ethanparker7900]

can u do stamkos or Datsyuk?@@TheHockeyVault

[@rafaelpimental4722]

Do a Cale makar and Quinn Hughes video they’re gonna be trading Norris trophy’s for years to come

[@tylerbuckle4368]

So true! I am so happy to be a Canucks fan and watch Quinn continue to develop as a player and now even more so as a leader.

[@fredrikjohansson2793]

Dahlin and Adam Fox is up there with them.

[@michaelshields6326]

These videos don't even answer the question they ask. They're more like career recaps.

[@ethanparker7900]

Should do a video of stamkos soon!! Basically is Ovechkin 2.0

[@Ricefan80]

No he isn't! Not even close

[@ethanparker7900]

What are you an idiot? Like ovi, he's well known for his lethal shot especially the one timer at the left circle, has a 60 goal season which was in such a low scoring era and has a career average of 40 ish goals a year while ovi ofc had a 65 goal season and has a career average of 50 or so goals. Even with injuries at times, he still had the second most goals in the 2010s decade with ovechkin ofc being the only player with more goals than him. @@Ricefan80

[@paulschmitz9175]

Get back to me when Stamkos has 800 career goals.

[@ethanparker7900]

@@paulschmitz9175 exactly 2 weeks and no follow up to your bullshit of a take

[@paulschmitz9175]

@@ethanparker7900 Get back to me when Stamkos has 800 goals.

[@jaycob1830]

Crosby was the best player, but Ovechkin was the most threatening

[@dworkinbar]

Александр бросает из левого круга взбрасывания. Большинство голкиперов правши, и Овечкин кидает в условно слабую, правую, сторону ворот, потому что ловушка у киперов на левой руке, а значит с другой стороны ворот, а рукой с клюшкой можно сконтрить только низколетящую шайбу. Шайбу же, летящую под перекладину и в верхний угол, голкипер может только закрыть корпусом, что не всегда возможно.

[@the6ig6adwolf]

23 goals away

[@rsk6929]

Nothing like a little bit of old bay, the great 8 and getting scared shittless in Baltimore is there boys?

[@rogerred3855]

Gimme my squats, and he only dropped gloves once!

[@adihasla801]

in a pickle here. ovie arguably is the best #8... but as a Finn... selänne #8... damn....

[@ThenorinSSBM]

Is this ai generated? Bro used the wrong words and weird as hell grammar so many times in this

[@jeremymcfall5708]

Hey guys I think Ovechin can still break the record he’s on pace to break it in 7 more years at 45 years old and 26 seasons in the NHL.

[@GreekboyyD]

😂🤡

[@afzalhakeen4941]

the greatest better than crosby

[@georgemichaels3rdnut]

Good as fuck

[@glennmayer469]

"dina-mo"

[@yenohtnA]

2:53 there is no debate on the Sid vs Ovi debate. The only thing Alex does ‘better’ than Sid is score goals. But how many are on the powerplay? Lol 1 cup and no Olympic medals is all you need to know about how Alex ‘helps’ his team win. (3 cups and 2 gold medals for Sid) The latest stat to prove Sid is miles above Ovi; Crosby hit 1600pts first and has played 240games less than Alex. Enough of this talk about a debate. Sid has always been better. From their 2nd and 3rd years in the league when Sid made the finals and then won his 1st cup the next year 🤫

[@danglesffa3304]

Ironic because it’s Ovechkin’s team that won 3 presidents trophies, how could that be possible if he doesn’t help his team to win? “That’s the regular season, who cares. what about when it matters most?” Sure but if you seriously believe Crosby was the difference maker H2H against Ovechkin in the playoffs you’re delusional. 2016 for example, penguins won the series 4-2 yet Crosby had 2 assist and was -3 😂 and Ovechkin had 7 points and was +3… not to mention 31 hits compared to crosby’s 11, something unique about the nhl is wearing down your opponents as the series goes on, this is almost non-existent in crosbys game. Nevermind the fact that Crosby wasn’t even the best player on his team in 09, and I’d argue Crosby shouldn’t have won another of his conn smythes. Ovechkin leads basically every metric H2H in the playoffs against Crosby except for games won.

[@ImAGoldenGod-yx6by]

There is one statistical forensic that is a major blemish on OVI's career and that is he's only +44 in 5 on 5 situations in his entire career. For context Sid is + 219 and for real context Gretzky was a phenomenal +520.

[@ilyamuromec3072]

some meaningless indicator

[@ilyamuromec3072]

statistics on hits are more revealing. Ovechkin - 3633, Crosby - 1114. I couldn’t find a stat on Gretzky (maybe 0)

[@ImAGoldenGod-yx6by]

@@ilyamuromec3072 Nice try. Champ. Why not just say you are the biggest casual around. 85% of the game is played 5 on 5. In 1424 games has an astonishing 38% of OVI's goals come on the power play / Crosby is under 30% . And by suggesting a *HIT* is more important than a 5 on 5 even strength goal it makes you look preposterous. As for Gretzky he has more assists in his career than anyone else has total points. Let that sink in. And OVI isn't in the same league as Crosby for being an all around player. Crosby has over 1000 assists in 200 less games / OVI under 700. Crosby is an incredible faceoff man / Ovi doesn't even take faceoffs. Crosby is 2nd all time in winning faceoffs and his efficiency is 58.3% *#1 in the NHL* meaning his team gains advantage of the puck immediately. Go tell an expert on hockey that a hit is more important than an even strength goal and you would be laughed out of the place.

[@ImAGoldenGod-yx6by]

@@ilyamuromec3072 Crosby is also an above point a game in the playoffs / OVI below a point a game Crosby scored the game winning goal in OT in the Olympics giving Canada the GOLD MEDAL . He's light years ahead of OVI for being clutch in big games.

[@reallifelebowski4732]

@@ilyamuromec3072 Hey dude in no one's world is a hit more important than an five on five goal. By saying being over +200 or in #99's case over +500 is a meaningless indicator it makes you look plain dumb. By being a plus player in 5 on 5 situations tells you the player is technically sound and proficient in normal game time situations. And Ovechkin is a winger who's around the boards all the time so of course his hit total is higher. Both Crosby and Gretzky play the middle of the ice where there is far less contact.

[@grahamstuart9164]

He was so good that he was only 1000 points behind Wayne Gretzky

[@neres5795]

Gretzky is a God

[@len6482]

much different era's. Ovi is a Top 5 player of all-time.

[@grahamstuart9164]

@@len6482 Yes. On the list that everybody else is on. Gritzky has his own list and he's the only one on it.

[@len6482]

Lemieux is on that list@@grahamstuart9164

[@hiddinkydink4463]

Ovi and Crosby in the 80s would have as many as 99 but can’t compare eras . Goalies and defence were hot trash then compared to now 😊

[@reallypantik6283]

dude is just standing there and slapping 80% of his goals. Idk, to me Crosby is like 2x player. And even Malkin is better. still he is one of the goats

[@michaelshields6326]

Prime OV did way more than just shoot from the circles. He was a monster all over the ice.

[@Erik3E]

Ovi ahve a terrible shot % average. Compared to most modern top players that sits around 15% Ovi is at 12.9%. Some modern top players are even at Gretzky levels averaging about 18% Ovi isnt bad but he is overated. Wayne Gretzky shot 5000 shots in total. Ovi is already above 6100 shots on goal and only 12.9% hit rate. Hes far to overhyped.

[@Viktor-kb4gf]

Ovechkin is a great player. But as a person, he’s a horrible human. He still supports Putin openly during the world. He showed not be allowed to play in NHL. Let him come back home and play there.

[@nedlead85]

He's a washed up bum!

[@chief3619]

When Ovi finally won the cup, it was amazing to see, especially for the chick in the front row who flashed the world on live tv.

[@chadwickbarry8371]

A team first push for the playoffs may leave him short of the goal record but satisfied with a look at a second Stanley Cup. Winning first is the game he grew up on, and I expect him to finnish that way. 🥅