MVP? Not so much - 4/18/09
Tim Kurnocik | National Hockey League
Apr 18, 05:18 PM | Hype this story!
By the NHL definition, the MVP should go to the player most valuable to his team in the regular season. Although Malkin and Crosby are certainly valuable players, are either more valuable to the Penguins than Ovechkin is to the Caps? That’s been a point of contention through this season, especially with the incredible emergence of Evgeni Malkin. Frankly, it really doesn’t matter who wins the MVP award since it’s just a matter of opinion for sports writers throughout North America. Even though Malkin locked up the Art Ross with his breakout year, it seems as though Ovechkin is a “lock” to win the MVP because he scores goals. Fine. Whatever. The writers can vote for Ovechkin every regular season, and every post-season we can watch Malkin and Crosby lead the Penguins deep into the tournament.
Today “Ovechkin’s Capitals” dropped their second straight game to the same Rangers that struggled to even get into the playoffs. Ovie had 6 shots on goal and was on the ice for the loan Rangers goal (-1). In game 1, he had over 20 shots (although most were blocked or missed altogether). 0 goals so far this post-season. None. Sure, he has 2 assists from goals scored off his rebounds… but everyone says that Ovie is so “valuable” because of his goal scoring prowess. 2 games, 19 SOG, 0 goals… 1 definite puck hog.
Sure, it’s possible for the Caps to rebound, take both games in New York, make this a series again and Ovechkin will be looked at as the savior. But for now, Ovie’s true colors are showing. He’s not a playoff hockey player. In playoff hockey you have to play a two-way game and totally sell out your body. Malkin and Crosby block shots, finish checks, back-check like crazy people, and understand what it takes to finish a series. A true MVP knows how to help his team even if he doesn’t show up on the scoreboard. Ovechkin just doesn’t know that. Call me a homer if you want but even if it’s not Malkin, Crosby, or Fleury hoisting the Conn Smyth trophy, it surely won’t be Ovechkin
This isn’t meant to be an article blasting Ovie and blaming the loss on him, because the loss was a team effort. Some bounces didn’t go the Caps way and they did hold the Rangers to only 1 goal. But up to this point in his young career, Ovechkin looks like he’ll be a perennial regular season favorite for MVP and another “star” that can’t seem to lead his team to the SCF. That’s why it’s a shame that playoff performances can’t be taken into account when evaluating the MVP.
If the Capitals ever hope to make it out of the 1st round, their leader needs to take them to the promised land. Maybe then he can call himself a true MVP.
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Comments
Zach Boslett
Apr 18, 05:26 PM
Caps fans should start yelling “pass!” Tim, clearly if you were watching the same game I was… you would see that attacking the Rangers D 1 on 3 and shooting it from just inside the blue line is the perfect hockey play for an MVP. If Malkin would do that he’d have won two MVP awards by now. TRADE MALKIN!!!11!!!
(Good Read Tim :))
Tim Kurnocik
Apr 18, 05:36 PM
Ovie loves to take on defenses all by himself. He clearly thinks 1 on 3 are good odds. If that’s what sports writers want, then he can take the MVP each year. I’ll take a Malkin led team that moves onto the 2nd round.
Slipstream
Apr 18, 08:41 PM
Totally agree. Take a close look at the only goal scored in the Rangers/Caps game today. In 10 seconds you’ll see all the evidence you need to prove Ovechkin is not the best player in the game. Best goal-scorer — yes. Best player — not by a long shot.
The play starts with Ovechkin giving the puck away—okay, it happens. With Ovie, more than anyone else in the league this year, but that’s not the point here. The point is his “effort” after the turnover. A guy we all know is one of the game’s fastest skaters gives it a few strides, then coasts back and watches as a goal is scored just a few feet away from him. You cannot tell me Ovechkin couldn’t have a good shot at preventing that scoring chance — if he’d tried. Except he didn’t.
Hey, Ovie, nobody’s asking you to dive and block a shot with your face (though in the playoffs, sometimes that’s what it takes). All we’re asking is some indication that you realize this is the playoffs, not Game 57 against Atlanta in February. And that what happens at the end of the ice — you know, that foreign land where your goalie hangs out? — is pretty darned important. What an inexcusably lazy play by an immensely talented player.
Ovechkin is older than both Crosby and Malkin, and this ain’t his first rodeo. But he still doesn’t get it when it counts.
It would be nice if somebody in the media noticed it, too. Keith Jones again was just on Versus in awe of how Ovechkin was “all over the ice.” Right, Keith, if “all over” doesn’t include his own zone. Free pass, anyone?
The only possible excuse I can give is that Ovechkin played an unholy 26:07 in Game One. Then again 12 of that was on the power play. Nope, not buying that as an excuse.
Albert
Apr 18, 08:47 PM
Nice article, Tim.
I like the comments from the guys at EN on this.
#1, Ovechkin should be given an award for leading the NHL in Giveaways. He had 5 today—1 that led directly to the game-winning goal. He’s sloppy. The award should be named “The Avery Award” (the guy made sloppy seconds famous).
#2, to quote “entitynein”: “the giveaway leading to the Rangers goal was important to note, but more important to note is Ovechkin’s complete refusal to backcheck. Watch that goal again. He could have easily chased down Callahan to break up that two-on-one. Ovechkin has some of the best closing speed in the game, but he only uses it trying to get in on a goalie. He turns that burner on, he could have lifted Callahan’s stick and broken up the scoring attempt. Instead, he skated hard to center ice, and then gave up and coasted back into the defensive zone and watched the goal go in. He’s all of 5 feet back of the play. Just a little effort might have saved that game.
Here’s the clip: www.nhl.tv/.../console.jsp
Zach Boslett
Apr 19, 12:47 AM
Slipstream with the body slam!
In all seriousness, Ovechkin is not known for his work in the defensive zone. Capitals blogs and writers have lauded him for his “improved” defensive awareness and skills. Dear god I hate to think what could be worse than this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uqYD5s2f7M&feature=related
Ovechkin is one of the biggest frauds in the game. Yay he celebrates the 14th shot of the game that goes in. Yay he takes 14 shots. There is a trophy for that. “Rocket” Richard. Not. The. Hart.
Ashley Gallant
Apr 19, 10:28 AM
Last night on TV, they were talking about Ovechkin over these past 2 games. They said that if you counted his actual SOG, his shots that were blocked, and his shots that missed the net, Ovechkin took over 40 shots in two games, none of which resulted in a goal.
When someone takes THAT many shots (and we all know he leads the NHL in SOG every season by a large margin), it’s not surprising that he wins the Rocket Richard Trophy. However, I can’t help but think that taking that many SOG is a tad selfish…he may score more goals than anyone else, but he takes so many shots that his shooting percentage is fairly average among the NHL’s top players. I think he, and the Caps, would do better if he learns when is the proper time to take a shot, and when it would be better to pass the puck to a teammate in a better position to score a goal.
Alex is a tremendous player, but he has a lot to learn if he ever hopes of being a decent two-way player. Because of his one dimensional play, I don’t see how he should be considered a legitimate MVP. And don’t give me the crap about how if you take him off that team, there would be nothing left…do they not have Nick Backstrom, Alex Semin, Mike Green, etc etc?
DaBich
Apr 19, 11:55 AM
Ashley, you said it all.
I like AO as well, but he has a lot to learn and a long way to go to be the player Malkin is, and the player Crosby is.
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