Last year was a personal disgrace. Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin did have his 51 goals. He also had a minus-35 and was caught far too many times loafing on the back check. In fact, in a must win home game against the Dallas Stars with a playoff spot on the line the Caps superstar sniper was seen gliding in carelessly far behind the play as his teammates struggled to no avail to prevent a Dallas goal.
Even longtime Ovechkin defenders took to ripping him to pieces. Head coach Adam Oates was fired days later. The blame for team’s failure to make the post season was entirely on the Great Eight. There was talk about stripping him of the captaincy. But no more. Ovechkin is in the midst of a remarkable comeback season for not just himself but his team.
New Coach Raised Questions
When Barry Trotz was named head coach of the Washington Capitals he arrived with the reputation of being a shutdown mastermind of defensive structure. Part of that was out of necessity as his Nashville Predator teams never had talent such as Ovechkin and had to rely on defense to win. There was considerable speculation about how Ovechkin would take to Trotz and his defensive style. There was also just as much speculation about how far Trotz would let Ovechkin go as far as his tendency to cheat on the back end for offensive rushes.
Opposites Attract
The hockey marriage of Trotz and Ovechkin is looking like one made in heaven. The Caps are in playoff position in the Eastern Conference with a record of 25-15-10 and Ovechkin has played a much more complete game. The Great Eight has 31 goals, 17 assists and is a significantly improved plus-11. Ovechkin made the full buy-in for Trotz and is getting quite the payoff.
“He’s been a pleasure to coach,” said Trotz. “You watch him in practice, he works hard. There’s no prima donna elements. As I described him at the Winter Classic, he’s got IT factor.”
The Elusive Cup
The 29-year-old Ovechkin has been in an intense rivalry with Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins for player of the decade. Crosby is image conscience and known for modesty and hard work with one Stanley Cup championship. Ovechkin is known for his left wing snap shot that is the best in the game but also for wild parties that would make Johnny Manziel blush. The Stanley Cup remains the quest for Ovechkin to validate his career and make it complete. With Trotz, he may yet fulfill his dream.
