Alex Ovechkin's Awesome October
by J.P. on Nov 1, 2009 11:00 AM EST
35 comments
Prior to Friday night's loss, NHL.com noted Alex Ovechkin's current "awesome" goal-scoring rate (which slowed down a bit when he "only" potted one in the loss to the Isles). With 14 goals in a not-necessarily-lucky 13 games, The Great Eight remains ahead of that magical fifty-in-fifty pace, but here's a quick look at what he's done so far this season compared to what he's done in the past. First, his goal totals through 13 games in each of his five seasons:
Ovechkin's monster October puts him in a great position to set all kinds of new career marks this season, but where does it rank among the best months he's ever had, point-wise? Take a look:
Of note, this October just past and March of 2008 are the only 14-goal months of AO's career so far, and October was the first month of his career in which he had more goals than games played.
But as impressive as he's been so far, this isn't the best single-season 13-game goal-scoring spree of his career, a distinction that belongs to the stretch between January 5 and February 5 of 2008, during which he scored 15 goals (aided by a four-goal explosion in perhaps his best game as a Capital). [Note: AO also scored 15 times over the course of the last 11 games of last year's playoffs and the first two games of this season.] This is, however, the most goals he's scored in a 13-game span without mixing in a hat trick somewhere along the way, and his six multi-goal games in 13 games is a personal best.
So when the League names Alex Ovechkin it's Player of the Month for October, take a moment to reflect back on what you just saw - some of the very best from the very best.
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Amazing...
He’s having the best year of his career, but there’s really only one thing that can top anything he’s done in the NHL so far, and that has to wait until June. I think it can be done.
Ya know, Wayne Gretzky won his first Cup in his 5th season… this is season 5 of Alex’s career… :)
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Nov 1, 2009 11:12 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
So when the League names Alex Ovechkin it’s Player of the Month for October
Obviously I agree with this, but what’s your take on it being a goalie? Normally, the flashy scoring statistics are the winner in a contest like this, but there are a couple who are playing lights out right now.
And I’ll trade that distinction for getting the last win in June. Anytime.
by gfcaps fan on Nov 1, 2009 11:23 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
what’s your take on it being a goalie?
Good point. Anderson, Miller and Bryz have been playing lights out for most of the month. Only problem is they cancel each other out.
A man gotta have a code
by CP2Devil on Nov 1, 2009 11:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I dunno about that. At least Phoenix was playing well for 50 games last season, and Buffalo would’ve been in the playoffs had not both Miller and Vanek gone down simultaneously. Colorado, considering their shot differential and last season’s complete lack of success, has Anderson to credit completely.
by red army line on Nov 1, 2009 11:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
My point was more that they all play the same position and have put up similar numbers. I’d agree that Anderson gets it if its one of the goalies, but the other two have been playing good enough that you could argue for them as well.
A man gotta have a code
by CP2Devil on Nov 1, 2009 12:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I see what you’re saying. Sorta like the Crosby-Malkin for Hart thing.
by red army line on Nov 1, 2009 12:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Not like that at all because that would mean there was one goalie that was clearly better than both of the other two.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 1, 2009 12:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
No, two people who detract from one another because of, in 87 and 71’s case, playing for the same team, and in the goalies’ case, all being goalies. If you don’t think of it that way, that’s fine. But I do, and we both reach the same understandind of CP2Devil’s original comment.
Heh, we always seem to misunderstand/argue with each other.
by red army line on Nov 1, 2009 2:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I wasn’t really serious I was just taking the opportunity to point out that AO is better than the Pens.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 1, 2009 2:38 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Heh, we always seem to misunderstand/argue with each other.
I dunno how different we’d be in person, though I’d guess very, considering I’m probably younger than you’d expect.
by red army line on Nov 1, 2009 3:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah it’s hard to figure out a person’s demographics when you only communicate on the internet.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 1, 2009 4:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Anderson, Miller and Bryz have been playing lights out for most of the month. Only problem is they cancel each other out.
I agree. I think it’ll be AO, but those guys certainly deserve heaps of praise.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 1, 2009 12:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
[Note: AO also scored 15 times over the course of the last 11 games of last year’s playoffs and the first two games of this season.]
This is the piece that stood out to me. The best players bring it when it’s most needed.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Nov 1, 2009 11:29 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Here is something scary…
In his last 82 games he is 68-57-125. Those 68 goals is the highest “most-recent” 82-game number of his career. He hasn’t been below 59 goals in that measure in his last 38 games.
Assuming good health, the safest bet in all of sports is that Ovechkin tops 60 goals this year, and given his progression (after 200 career games, his number for his most recent 82 games was 46, after 250 games it was 64, after 300 it was 60, at 337 it is 68), 70 is looking like a better and better bet.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Nov 1, 2009 11:43 AM EST reply actions 5 recs
Great post, Peerless.
What has impressed me about Ovechkin this season is his passing. Lots of primary assists. Just don’t overdo the Care Bears stuff.
by cuqui on Nov 1, 2009 1:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Nice work. Rec’d.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 1, 2009 1:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t care if he wins player of the month or not. Those sort of things are tiny compared to what Ovie could do this year. I’d be much more satisfied if he got 50 goals in 50 games or broke some kind of scoring record than if he won player of the month.
I’m pretty sure Ovie himself would prefer something along those lines than player of the month.
Dallas Stars 4 Life: Stars Blogging From Hockeyville, Iowa
by Brad_Richards_Rocks on Nov 1, 2009 11:54 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
We are the luckist eff’ing hockey fans on the planet. Unbelievable.
by RedBirdie on Nov 1, 2009 11:59 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
agreed
i have tried to imagine a world without ovechkin…..and its awful ::shudders::
by twistedlogic on Nov 1, 2009 4:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
he’s definitely brought a renewed vigor with him this year, and to think, he scored 14 goals even with all that overpassing playing with Backstrom and Semin. i saw 2 goals he passed up trying to get Semin a goal in the last game vs the Isles.
by DonCaps819 on Nov 1, 2009 12:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Care Bear share is not a good thing.
A man gotta have a code
by CP2Devil on Nov 1, 2009 12:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I maintain that it was a good pass to Semin on the play that Semin botched by passing the puck back to the slot. That’s a goal if Semin has any sort of brain function going on. I wanted him to get another multi-goal game but I’m not upset with that pass at all.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 1, 2009 12:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Right there with you on that. I’m ok with spreading it around because that opens things up, but Semin needs to close with that. Maybe a rule of no MORE than 3 passes before shooting.
by MetalCap on Nov 1, 2009 1:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Sort of the reverse of the motion offense in basketball. I like it.
A man gotta have a code
by CP2Devil on Nov 1, 2009 1:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Most media geniuses have already handed the award to Craig Anderson
by flacco5 on Nov 1, 2009 12:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Anderson is great, but Ovie put up a historical great month.
by RedBirdie on Nov 1, 2009 1:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The difference between Ovie and Anderson
is that Anderson probably won’t keep this up. Whereas with Ovechkin, I think he can keep being consistent like this.
Dallas Stars 4 Life: Stars Blogging From Hockeyville, Iowa
by Brad_Richards_Rocks on Nov 1, 2009 12:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yawn
Wake me up when his output reaches 200% of last October.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 1, 2009 12:58 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
Well played.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Nov 1, 2009 1:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Consider this your alarm clock – he’s at 350% of last October.
I can think of worse ways to wake up.
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 1, 2009 1:44 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I realized that after I posted but wasn’t going to let a little math ruin a good comment.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 1, 2009 2:35 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
(And if he had 8 assists last October then he’d still be below 200% production this October.)
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 1, 2009 2:55 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
22 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 30 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
19 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 23 |
|
Atlanta
|
18 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 22 |
|
Florida
|
20 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 20 |
|
Carolina
|
21 | 4 | 12 | 5 | 13 |
(updated 11.21.2009 at 8:36 AM EST)
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