Can Alex Ovechkin Score Fifty Goals in Fifty Games?
by J.P. on Oct 5, 2009 10:30 AM EDT
137 comments
In his last game of the 1944-45 regular season, Montreal's Maurice Richard beat Bruins netminder Harvey Bennett to become the first player in NHL history to score fifty goals in a season, and he did it in just fifty games (the length of the regular season back then).
It took 36 years before another player would equal The Rocket's fifty-in-fifty feat, when Mike Bossy did so in dramatic fashion, scoring twice in the final five minutes of the Isles' 50th game. Then along came Wayne Gretzky, who obliterated this mark by scoring his 50th goal of the 1981-82 season in just the 39th game of the campaign (on a five-goal night which followed a four-goal outing, to boot).
The Great One bested fifty-in-fifty twice more, Mario Lemieux did it, Brett Hull accomplished the feat twice, and a small handful of "unofficial" fifty-in-fifty seasons and near misses have been recorded, but no one has scored fifty goals in his team's first fifty games since the Golden Brett did it in 1991-92.
All of this leads us to the question that's already being asked just days into the new season: "Can Alex Ovechkin score fifty goals in fifty games?"
"If anyone can do it, Ovie can," offered up Brooks Laich.
The Great Eight is certainly off to a good start with three goals in two games. But the best fifty-game stretches of Ovechkin's career so far have seen him score 43 goals, a number he's hit an impressive nine times (with some overlaps) in his young career, most recently ending March 1 of this year. (Currently, he has 39 goals in his last fifty games, whether or not you include last season's playoffs.) So he'll need to increase his production over the best 50-game goal-scoring spans of his career by more than 16%.
Taking a look at the schedule ahead over the next 48 games (during which he'll have to score at a .98 goals-per-game clip to reach the milestone in question), Ovechkin has scored .68 goals per game over his career and .74 goals per game last season against the teams he'll face (teams he'll face multiple times are counted multiple times to accurately represent his past performance applied to the schedule). So he'll need to increase his production against the teams he'll face by at least a third over what he's done against them in the past.
Laich added in his "sure, why not?" reply that Ovechkin "puts six or seven shots on goal a game and you know one will go in." Well, not quite. In fact, based on AO's 10.6% shooting accuracy last season, he'd have to take 443 shots to score another 47 goals, which works out to roughly 9.24 per game. Use his career 12.3% number and that drops down to just a hair under eight shots per game (7.96). So he'll either need to score on a much higher percentage of his shots than he ever has before, or he'll have to take a lot more shots than he ever has before (if that's possible).
What makes the fifty-in-fifty task so daunting in this day and age, however, has more to do with the state of the game today than it does with any one player's skill. Case in point, AO had a higher "adjusted goal" total (goals normalized for the era in which they were scored) when he scored 65 goals in 2007-08 than Gretzky or Lemieux ever had in a single campaign, even though those Hall of Famers each had individual seasons of 85-goals or more.
Now, we know better than to bet against Alex Ovechkin. But the bottom line is that if he's going to score fifty goals in fifty games, he's going to need to produce at a significantly higher rate than he ever has before; someone tell Alex to stop slackin' and start scorin'.
Oh, and in case you're wondering, that fiftieth game? January 21... in Pittsburgh, of course.
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It’s not AO thats going to score 50 in 50, its Laich, get it straight
by i12swim on Oct 5, 2009 10:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, those two seem to be playing a one-upmanship game that’s really amusing to watch.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Oct 5, 2009 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who knew all he had to do was change his skate lacing….
Someone tell Flash
by gnuf on Oct 5, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why wait for game # 50? Do it in 49 and go into Pittsburgh with all the hoopla.
As to whether I think he can do it, given that he’s scored those first three goals even strength, it’s possible, if not likely. His shooting percentage is at 30%; if he could keep that up (sure….), he could hit 150 goals.
Don’t you love extrapolating totals on the basis of two games? /snark
by gfcaps fan on Oct 5, 2009 10:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Two-Line Pass has a nice Ovie MSPaint job from the Boston game:
IS PAЯTY NOW
by Your Nation's Capital on Oct 5, 2009 10:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
TLP’s bad MS Paint jobs are addictive. But otherwise, I can’t stand is commentary.
by RedBirdie on Oct 5, 2009 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Man they looked so pissed off.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
by zephyr on Oct 5, 2009 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Of course he can. As long as you’re not counting consecutively.
MVP of the California Penal League
by Backhanded Complement on Oct 5, 2009 10:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If he could face Vesa Toskala every night, he could score 50 in 50 periods.
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by J.P. on Oct 5, 2009 10:59 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
I take it you think he’s not long for the world of starting goaltending?
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by winterion on Oct 5, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was, um, not impressed with his performance on Saturday night. Or last season. Etc.
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by J.P. on Oct 5, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, I guess I was implying that he’d be #2 behind the rookie soon on the depth chart?
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by winterion on Oct 5, 2009 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My husband had Vesa Toskala in his last year fantasy league. It screwed him up pretty good.
by CapsFan75 on Oct 5, 2009 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Friends don’t let their friends draft Leafs in fantasy hockey. :)
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Oct 5, 2009 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
“Vesa Toskala” is an anagram for “takes a salvo”… for “a vat so leaks”… for “ask a lot save”
he needs to change his name.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Oct 6, 2009 6:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have no idea how he is even a starter anymore. The guy used to be able to play on a consistent level. Now he has no consistency whatsoever.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
by zephyr on Oct 5, 2009 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ovie's the only one who could do it...
And I say yes he can do it. But I’d really love it if it happened against Pittsburgh. The look on Crosby’s face would be priceless :D
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by Brad_Richards_Rocks on Oct 5, 2009 11:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I really can’t imagine Crosby even reacting to it one way or another. What would he care?
Personally, I’d get a lot more enjoyment from the look on Ovi’s face. Or Bruce’s. Or anyone else in white.
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by J.P. on Oct 5, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You know the dumb TV production dummies would plant a camera on Crosby for his reaction, though.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 5, 2009 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d rather see Don Cherry’s reaction than any of the above.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Oct 5, 2009 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
“You see, here, and this here, this is why they really need to.. you know, I’ve always.. umm, something, something something Darcy Tucker! Yep, Sid the Kid is right to be upset, you know, this.. this whole scoring in overtime, game-winner, I mean, look at him spinning out there and you can’t tell me that’s not bad for the game of hockey, you can’t.”
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by winterion on Oct 5, 2009 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You kids out there should be more like Doug Gilmour
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Oct 5, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Doug Gilmour is the man.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 5, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Actually, if I didn’t have a headache the size of Doug Gilmour’s heart, I’d have remembered that Cherry always calls him “Dougie.”
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Oct 5, 2009 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good point. He was my all time favorite player until AO came along.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 5, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That really is excellent advice.
by David M. Getz on Oct 5, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is that Spuds MacKenzie?
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by winterion on Oct 5, 2009 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s his long-time dog, Blue. However, I’ve got to imagine that’s it’s at least Blue II, if not III by this point.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Oct 5, 2009 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I imagine it’d be something along the lines of “amazing achievement, but this guy’s a great hockey player, I know I’ve criticized a little in the past, but this is truly historic. Congratulations, Alex”.
by David M. Getz on Oct 5, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Crosby would care as it would be a goal against his team, not because it was anything special. From what I can see from his play, he takes goals against personally… which is a good thing.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Oct 5, 2009 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right. I agree with this. But I don’t think that’s what the comment to which I was responding was getting at.
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by J.P. on Oct 5, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I imagine any reaction to the goal on Crosby’s part with have more to do with how it affected the in-game situation than the fact Ovechkin had reached a milestone.
by David M. Getz on Oct 5, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s getting (getting?) more than a little annoying to see how many folks seemingly would rather the Caps accomplish something (as a team or individually) because of how someone else would respond than for the achievement itself.
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by J.P. on Oct 5, 2009 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions 10 recs
It’s a little sadistic. It’s probably the same people that cheer and jeer at the opposition after their team scores instead of cheering with their own fans.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
by zephyr on Oct 5, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I gotta be honest – I’ll trade all the awards, all the individual achievements, in a heartbeat if trading them away means winning the Cup.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Oct 5, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No question – I’m sure we all would, and I know #8 would.
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by J.P. on Oct 5, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess what I’m trying to say politely is that I don’t really give a flying damn about it either way. If he does, good for him, but if it doesn’t bring Lord Stanley home, them good for him but it doesn’t do us any good.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Oct 5, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Like I said, no one here would disagree with that. But you (and others) commented on how you’d enjoy the reactions that people outside the organziation would have to AO hitting 50-in-50 and that’s what I (and others) responded to – not whether or not individual achievements matter in the context of the team’s overall goals or anything related to that point.
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by J.P. on Oct 5, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Being amused by the idea is different fron wanting it solely for that reason, J.P. Are we now decreeing what people are allowed be amused by? Thought police hello. :P
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Oct 5, 2009 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thought police hello
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by winterion on Oct 5, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
To be fair I don’t think JP ever said that was the sole reason people would enjoy it.
by David M. Getz on Oct 5, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Thanks, but don’t bother, D – her insanity is truly boundless.
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by J.P. on Oct 5, 2009 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I love you too, JP.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Oct 5, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Speaking of missing links, JP, any idea what happpened to the fanpost I put up about the Philly fans on the bus? All of a sudden it’s gone.
by b.orr4 on Oct 5, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, meant to drop you a line on that – the topic was being discussed in a FanShot (though not a well-named one), so it was redundant. Sorry ’bout that.
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by J.P. on Oct 5, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks, but don’t bother, D – her insanity is truly boundless.
Yikes…
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
by fat_daddyo on Oct 5, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let me clarify what I mean here.
To begin with, one can’t throw something like “thought police” at someone who goes to great lengths to create and maintain a community in which a wide range of opinions and discussion is not only encouraged, but is practiced and enjoyed by many, and not expect a response, and a justifiably defensive one at that. A comment like that is about half a step from proving Godwin’s Law, really.
More to the general point, it becomes difficult to have a discussion with a person when that person changes his or her position with every comment. Going from “I’d rather see Don Cherry’s reaction” to being indirectly challenged on that and responding with “I’ll trade all the awards, all the individual achievements, in a heartbeat if trading them away means winning the Cup” (implying that others wouldn’t) and then, when pressed on the initial point, implying something that wasn’t said and invoking “thought police” is simply maddening for someone trying to engage in a dialogue. That kind of stuff is far, far too common on the Internet and I think all of us who read and participate in discussion at the Rink know we’re better than that. It gets truly tiring to deal with.
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by J.P. on Oct 5, 2009 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
JP, we all appreciate the hard work, and we’ve said so many times, but this time you’d have been better off writing this, getting it out of your system, and then hitting “cancel” instead of “post.”
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Oct 5, 2009 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I appreciate the input, G.O.D., but I assure you that this was neither written in haste nor in some sort of heightened emotional state (and it most definitely wasn’t a plea for validation, appreciation or apology). I’ve said what I wanted to say and am moving on.
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by J.P. on Oct 5, 2009 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hate the anti-otherteam chants. They should only be used in extreme circumstances, like chanting the goalie’s name when we’re shelling Pittsburgh or Philly.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 5, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
So “Gus-tav-sson” is a silly goalie chant?
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 5, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, but “Mooooonnnn-sterrrrrr” is acceptable.
"Let the rest be scared of us." - Sasha Semin
by Scott in Shaw on Oct 5, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, especially when you could easily chant “Jo-nas.”
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 5, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
To me, that kind of chant is all part of the atmosphere. It’s that sort of thing that makes a building tough and intimidating to play in. I like that the “it’s all your fault” chant is starting to catch on (although it probably works better after the second or third goal). My absolute favorite chant is one they use in Hershey after a bad ref call (usually after the second or third bad ref call) – “B-U-L-L-S-H--T B******!”
I’m not big on booing, though, especially not my own team.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Oct 5, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I very seriously doubt any NHL goalie has ever been intimidated by a bunch of people yelling ’it’s all your fault’, and very rarely from hearing their name chanted.
Constant noise in support of the home team? Sure. Coordinated chants? Not so much.
by David M. Getz on Oct 5, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Goalies are head cases. I bet someone has been rattled by it (though they were probably rattled more by the goals that caused the chant).
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 5, 2009 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d never say never on this one, but I agree that’s it’s about the goals. If a guy let’s in a soft goal, that might upset him and I can’t see a bunch of opposing fans yelling about it (albeit in unison) unnerving him further.
by David M. Getz on Oct 5, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know you can say that DMG. Hennnn-riiickkk very well might have been impacted by the noise/chant last year when Brads got that second goal.
What is being said is much less important than the fact that it is being done in unison. The OHHHHHH chant from college basketball is a good example of nonsense that makes a building intimidating and difficult to play in.
Chants are just part of the experience, what is being said is much less important.
by Sct112 on Oct 5, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree on that, and think goalies can get intimidated or unnerved by that (although most of the time most don’t) but yelling ’it’s all your fault!’ I just don’t see.
by David M. Getz on Oct 5, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just my opinion, but the “it’s all your fault” thing is plain stupid.
A) it doesn’t make any sense from a hockey perspective… it’s a team game.
B) I agree w/ DMG, it has no effect on the opposing goalie.
I don’t mind the name serenading… and can deal w/ the "whoop"ing … I would agree that they’re part of the “experience”, they bring a certain type of “unity intimidation” (albeit it may serve no true purpose) … the “counting/fault” chant doesn’t and will never hold any weight for me.
by Scofield on Oct 5, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
its a fairly common college hockey thing.
by RedBirdie on Oct 5, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
the "it’s all your fault" thing is plain stupid
Especially after only a goal or two. Now, when you’re up by three, okay, go ahead. I don’t really care for it, though.
by gfcaps fan on Oct 5, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also stupid?
Chanting “it’s all your fault” after the goalie has been replaced, so clearly the former goals were not the current goalie’s fault.
"Let the rest be scared of us." - Sasha Semin
by Scott in Shaw on Oct 5, 2009 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh yeah, we had that discussion Saturday night.
by gfcaps fan on Oct 5, 2009 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wholeheartedly concur. I’ve never liked this one and as others have stated it absolutely makes no sense when it’s chanted after the first and second goals. It’s one that doesn’t do a thing for me.
by capfan on Oct 5, 2009 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wholeheartedly concur. I’ve never liked this one and as others have stated it absolutely makes no sense when it’s chanted after the first and second goals. It’s one that doesn’t do a thing for me.
by capfan on Oct 5, 2009 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Chants are just part of the experience
I’m with you on this. In my mind they don’t do squat to the opposition. All the opposing players can tell most of the time is if its loud or not. But that isn’t the point in my eyes.
For the fans though its a cathartic bonding thing. Some of my fondest Caps memories involve Caps vs Flyers games with Hextall in net. The chant was part of the experience. Similar to chants/songs at soccer matches.
by CP2Devil on Oct 5, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did you happen to see Jimmy Howard v. STL over the weekend? Lets in one weak 5 hole goal and you could see him still thinking about it when STL scored another weak 5 hole goal right after that. Babcock had to burn his time out to calm him down. Unfortunately, there were no Swedish fans chanting his name.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 5, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did you happen to see Jimmy Howard v. STL over the weekend?
I did not.
by David M. Getz on Oct 5, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I figured that was the answer before I asked. It was awful lonesome in the OT Fanshot I put up so I gathered that most people were doing something other than trying to overdose on hockey on opening weekend.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 5, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I saw the game. It started off so well. And then Jimmy Howard happened.
by RedBirdie on Oct 5, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah that was a bad minute for him. He certainly didn’t do himself any favors. I don’t know if DET doesn’t have their act together yet or if STL is that good. Guess we’ll find out.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 5, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Details are a little foggy, I think I have the right team and goalie on this story.
Last season when we were playing the Blue Jackets I was heckling Mason really loudly from behind the goal. I eventually got about 2 sections into the MAAAYYY-SOONNNN chant. We stopped after a stoppage in play and then while there was a faceoff going on in the other side of the ice I yelled, “hey Mason, you suck.” He lifted up his jersey with his stick and tapped his ass a few times like, kiss it. It was pretty awesome and my most recognized heckling to-date.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
by zephyr on Oct 5, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And the Caps went on to score 5 goals! Oh, wait…
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 5, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah…that’s why I used the word recognized instead of successful, haha.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
by zephyr on Oct 5, 2009 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cool story, but let’s stop poking that particular bear going forward, Z. He seems to have our number (of all goalies to have our offense “solved”).
Agreed, that would’ve thrilled me beyond belief to see an NHL netminder “givin’ me back the business”! Until we lost 3-0 (twice).
Let’s just pray that Columbus holds onto him and doesn’t trade him to, say, PHILLY. My spidey-sense tells me that Emery is a rental until the deadline, when they’ll once again trade for a goalie for the playoffs (cuz it has worked SO well in your model up to now, right Clarkie?).
"I am... *grins* ... 'Nobody' "
- Odysseus
by war_capitals on Oct 6, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why isn’t this green yet?
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 5, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not only...
Ovie could get his 50 in 50… But Backstrom could also top 100 assists on the season. They thought Malkin might do it last year, but Backstrom will be the first to add his name to that Gretzky-Lemieux-Orr pantheon.
by Ninjak on Oct 5, 2009 11:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I have to think though that if it’s not this year (like Ovie at 130 points), it’s not happening, or at least for 19, not for some more time.
by red army line on Oct 6, 2009 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think the only way he’d have a shot at 50-in-50 is if the league re-tightened some of its penalty-calling rules/guidelines/etc., thus leading to an uptick in powerplays for at least 10-20 games at the outset of a season. Lacking that, no, almost no shot.
by TylerG on Oct 5, 2009 11:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I’ll start wondering if this is possible at about 10 games played. If he has 12-15 goals by then who knows what could happen.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
by zephyr on Oct 5, 2009 11:10 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I’d love to see Ovie score 50 in 50, but not if it’s at the expense of the team. He should take shots when he’s got them, not just for the sake of taking them.
"My face is my mask."
by jakeshapiro on Oct 5, 2009 11:29 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Would have helped if he potted that empty netter on Saturday too.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
by zephyr on Oct 5, 2009 11:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah. 50 in 50 leaves no margin for error. I don’t think he makes it.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 5, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
or the tic tac toe one touch passing game Backstrom Ovie and Semin played in the first where Ovie ms\is fired, i think the pass surprised him
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Oct 5, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think he just wiffed. He took a swing at it on time.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
by zephyr on Oct 5, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Anybody notice how Alex has been taking wristers from the point on the PP in the first two games? Getting a lot more tips from Clark, Laich, and Knuble because of it. It’s a simple little change that’s going to make a ton of difference.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 5, 2009 11:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
And by “a ton of difference,” you mean “his assist totals go through the roof.”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 5, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And fewer broken faces and severed ears.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 5, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And #1 powerplay at the end of the year.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 5, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And unfortunately only 50 goals.
by red army line on Oct 6, 2009 9:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If this were the 80’s, I’d say he might have a chance at breaking Gretzky’s record of 50 in 39. However, with today’s goalies being so athletic and and the equipment so much better, I’d say it near impossible. Of course, if anyone can do it, It’s Alex.
by b.orr4 on Oct 5, 2009 11:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I list 50-in-39 and DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak as two of the reocrds out there that may NEVER fall. Ripken’s Iron Man streak is another safe bet. Oddly enough, the first two I listed aren’t even career-type records, they’re single season, meaning plenty of players get a chance to beat those records every year and no one even comes close. The Iron Man streak in baseball will be harder because it’s more of a durability issue (and less amazing if someone were actually to break it), the first two are “unparalleled skill” records that may never be broken depsite the sport not changing enough (rules-wise) to prevent others from challenging them.
"I am... *grins* ... 'Nobody' "
- Odysseus
by war_capitals on Oct 5, 2009 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The only hockey record that can never be broken is...
…Glenn Hall’s 500 plus consecutive game streak as a goaltender. No goalie will ever be able to do that.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Oct 5, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Robot NHL will make a liar out of you.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
by zephyr on Oct 5, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Well, compared to MLB pitchers, Dice-K in Japan was superhuman. What, 70% of his starts were CGs, starting every other day?
by red army line on Oct 6, 2009 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can't see it happening
The game is so closed down compared to when Gretzky and even Lemieux played. You watch youtube clips of the Oilers games, and the two teams basically exchanged rushes all night.
I just want the kid to stay healthy, focuses and productive out there. Statistical yardsticks don’t particularly interest me at this point.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
by fat_daddyo on Oct 5, 2009 12:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
As alluded to previously in other responses, personal accomplishments are nice, but ultimately its the team’s achievements that mean the most. As such a healthy Ovechkin to be ready for the real season next April is the most important thing caps fans should be rooting for!
I find sometimes it's easy to be myself
sometimes I find it's better to be somebody else
by Fauxrumors on Oct 5, 2009 12:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Gretzy's 50-in-39 was a sham.
The 50th goal was scored on an empty net. Total cheapie. If not for that, he might not have gotten to 50 until game 40—or 41, even. He should have only had eight goals in those two games. He’s totally overrated.
by bilspacecadet on Oct 5, 2009 1:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I know man. And the goalies wore small pads and never came out to cut off the angle. Not to mention lack of skill or technical expertise. Defenses sucked, coaches sucked. It’s amazing anyone even thinks Gretzky could possibly play in the modern NHL. You, me, and Al Iafrate are gonna start the charge!
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 5, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Not only am I rec’ing this, but I’m also on your lawn.
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 5, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well you better get off of it!
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 5, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Didn’t he score 2 empty net goals in that game?
I find sometimes it's easy to be myself
sometimes I find it's better to be somebody else
by Fauxrumors on Oct 5, 2009 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think he scored 35 empty netters in route to the 50 in 39.
One guy just drove his semi as a float. I guess semis are cool.
by zephyr on Oct 5, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and the other 15 were own goals scored by dumb defense men. I actually don’t think Gretzky scored a goal in his entire career
by wipps on Oct 5, 2009 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The league yielded to him, that’s all.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Oct 5, 2009 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
wasn’t Gretz given like 3rd and 4th assists? i read it somewhere and it said whenever he was on the ice and a goal was scored, he was given an assist just for points
by hockeyman33 on Oct 5, 2009 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sounds a little tin-foil, and not in the Federal League sort of way.
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by winterion on Oct 5, 2009 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This stream seems to have devolved in urban myth territory. But funny.
by gfcaps fan on Oct 5, 2009 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They did it even when his team got scored on. Hell, he got points for just watching being in an arena when a goal was scored.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Oct 5, 2009 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nope.
It’ll never happen again. Not with the trap and the perfection of the butterfly.
tictactoehockey.blogspot.com
myunjustifiedego.blogspot.com
by turnituptoeleven on Oct 5, 2009 2:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Who in the NHL still uses the trap and their predominant strategy?
by David M. Getz on Oct 5, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wile E. Coyote. Oh, you said “in the NHL”…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 5, 2009 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Until last year, MIN. And teams know how, they’re just more skilled and recognize that. Philly, Detroit, PIT, all know how. It’s more defensive style though, and like you said, no more trap perse. CBJ is the closest I can think of. MIN may have to revert because they’re not heavy on offensive talent.
by red army line on Oct 6, 2009 9:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You can’t play the old Devils’ Trap anymore because the two-line pass is legal. You can play defensively and implement similar defensive strategies but nobody will be able to return to the pre-lockout trap.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 6, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Psh, I can score 50 in 10 with Chris Bourque if I play on Pro.
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
by winterion on Oct 5, 2009 3:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
….but why do you play as the Penguins?
by David M. Getz on Oct 5, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I don’t, but you’d be amazed what kinds of trades you can get away with.
Nylander alone opens up a world of options for you. GMs in NHL 10 aren’t exactly rocket scientists.
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
by winterion on Oct 5, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
so, they’re all like Gainey and Sather?
by RedBirdie on Oct 5, 2009 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Peg Milbury with a few tranq darts, blindfold him, tie pens to his hands, and set him loose in a sealed room full of contracts.
Now go down two notches.
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
by winterion on Oct 5, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that’s a visual I’m not really sure I needed
by RedBirdie on Oct 5, 2009 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Waddell has at least drafted well in the last couple of years. Traded well? Not so much. But I think he’s got the hang of this top-5 pick thing.
by Knee high to a duck on Oct 5, 2009 3:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This sure seems like a lock early on. At least have the courtesy, Alex, to not get to fifty by dropping four on the Flyers like Gretzky did. Thanks.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Oct 5, 2009 3:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Also, I think Gretzky had 50 that year before anyone else had 30. Which is just insane.
The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.
by Ben Rothenberg on Oct 5, 2009 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Everything Gretz did was insane, from scoring to, well, attempting coach.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Oct 5, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Not bad for someone who played with the Honolulu Coconut Kings.
"Good crowd out there tonight, boys, let's really try to win this one."
by Bald Pollack on Oct 5, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah he did, I know that because I’ve seen the clip on NHLN about a million times.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
by Fehr and Balanced on Oct 5, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mainly hoping that OV doesn’t get “Prongerized” in the this (or any) tete-a-tete with Philly…actually, you know, scoring of goals or winning of games will just be gravy.
"You're gonna eat that g**d**n Koho, three!"
by fat_daddyo on Oct 5, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Amen to that! Let’s hope that none of our Caps get “pronged” in the game against Philthy this week. Last year, Green was “pronged” against Anaheim.
Don’t want Ovi “pronged” either. Was Chris Pronger giving the Canadian World Junior team lessons before the 2004-2005 World Junior games? Ovi got “pronged” in that game and was out for a good while after that.
BTW, can you just hear the sound “prong” when Chris Pronger makes his hits? There’s a guy with a perfect fit last name.
by CapsFan75 on Oct 5, 2009 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
21 | 13 | 4 | 4 | 30 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
19 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 23 |
|
Atlanta
|
18 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 22 |
|
Florida
|
19 | 8 | 9 | 2 | 18 |
|
Carolina
|
21 | 4 | 12 | 5 | 13 |
(updated 11.20.2009 at 9:16 AM EST)
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
