Sidney Crosby or Alex Ovechkin? The debate has been raging for almost two decades, but one thing is certain, the two players still represent a major challenge for opposing teams today.
The Montreal Canadiens know all about that, having conceded a 6-0 thaw against the Pittsburgh Penguins just last week. Head coach Dominique Ducharme’s men will now have to keep an eye on “Ovy” Wednesday night against the Capitals in Washington, or another horror movie could be on the ice.
Ducharme and his players are well aware of this
“We definitely have to give him as few opportunities as possible to throw. We know he’s a sniper – it doesn’t take academic research to find out. We have to make sure that we give him the fewest opportunities, the least time to launch, both on the power play and five against five, ”Ducharme summed up on Tuesday.
As has been the case since the start of the season, the Habs driver will likely opt for his trusted trio, made up of Artturi Lehkonen, Jake Evans and Brendan Gallagher, to compete against the best elements of the Caps.
“They play in a simple way. The way they skate and compete, they support each other very well. They apply a lot of pressure, and they are tiring to face – both offensively and defensively, ”said Ducharme first.
“In general, he [Evans] reacts well to the best opposing lines. Of course it wasn’t a good game against Pittsburgh, but it was difficult for all of our players that night. I love what Jake does; he is maturing in his game. He is doing a good job, ”he continued.
While he still hasn’t been called upon to watch Ovechkin in a career game, Evans believes he can find some success against the legendary no 8 of Caps.
“Whether it’s Crosby or Ovechkin, center or winger, their line has great chemistry… It’s the same with the Boston Bruins. We have to find ways to muzzle them, and frustrate them. […] Our trio must simplify their game, and communicate a lot. “Lehky” and “Gally” show up every night, and they play smart. It’s very easy to play with them. It is therefore enough to muzzle the best opposing trio ”, indicated the no 71 from CH.
The Canadiens’ defenders will also be called on to help limit the scoring chances of the 36-year-old Russian, who already has 15 goals and 15 assists in 19 games this season. Even if that means having to throw yourself in front of his lightning fire.
“I’ve already eaten a couple of his shots on reception, and it’s more or less pleasant. It’s part of our job, especially outnumbered, so we’ll try to eliminate them as much as possible. The less we have to block, the more it is fun for us, ”admitted David Savard.
For his part, goalkeeper Jake Allen recalled that no one has so far managed to solve the enigma Ovechkin, which has eight seasons of 50 or more career goals. The reason is quite simple, according to him.
“If someone had found [une façon de le freiner], this person would undoubtedly have won a Nobel Prize. […] He’s a pure shooter, throwing as hard as he can. He probably has the most powerful receiving shot in the league. And he is able to put effect in his shots; the puck can suddenly fall, he can bend his shot… It’s no coincidence that he continues to climb the NHL’s scoring column. We’ll have to keep an eye on it, ”noted Allen.
As for whether Ovechkin, who has totaled 745 career goals, will be able to join the NHL record holder – a Wayne Gretzky, with 894 wins – Ducharme admits it’s far from outlandish.
“He really does have a chance, anyway. This is a record that few believed achievable. He keeps the pace, and he’s still just as consistent in his way of scoring goals, despite his age. It’s pretty hard to bet against him. […] It’s pretty great to see that a player can challenge this record, ”he summed up.
It would certainly be utopian to believe that the Canadian will manage to slow down Ovechkin, but Ducharme must hope, at the very least, that his men win a small victory by slowing him down, temporarily, while they are passing through the American federal capital.