Comments on: Is the pressure getting to Alex Ovechkin?

By: J4RD0

J4RD0 — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:58:33 +0000

WoooOOOOoooOOOOOoooo. That’s the sound of the exaggeration police coming to arrest you. Good job making a judgement on Ovechkin’s captaincy based solely on one playoff game. I suppose the 14 game win streak that started right after being given the C was just a fluke.
Sure, Ovi might not be the perfect Captain yet, but he is the face of the franchise, and every player in the locker room agrees he was the right man for the job. He was the emotional leader for the last couple seasons prior to being named Captain, but now it’s just official. He will continue to grow and mature as he settles into the role.
Also, I feel obligated to point out how cliche it has become to blame the Olympics loss on Ovechkin. Nevermind the lack of depth on defense, the half roster of KHL players, or the incompetent coach. People seem to forget Ovi scored the GWG against Canada in 2006 to knock them out. He often steps up in big games, but he’s still mortal.

By: Pato

Pato — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 13:50:41 +0000

Maybe he took the night off–but if he takes another night off his integrity will be on the line?

By: ebuce

ebuce — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 11:57:38 +0000

There is a big difference between regular season hockey and playoff hockey. It doesn’t seem like the Caps are prepared to play real playoff hockey. When things got tough for OV at the Olympics he completely disappeared. He looked awful last night too. He was a terrible choice for Captain and now its really showing.

By: sob

sob — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 10:51:30 +0000

The guy I worry about is Semin. Great potential but he looked like he was skating in sand last night. He had way too many turnovers last night and took a bad penalty–one of his negative trademarks. Ovechkin will be fine; it’s Semin I worry about–I think he tends to choke in the big games and they will need him to make a significant run

By: Reprobus

Reprobus — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 10:00:42 +0000

I do think Ovie is gripping a bit right now. Perhaps the negative publicity around the Campbell hit, or a slight injury (Though as they pointed out on NHL Network, Boudreau would have protected him a bit more in the Post-Game Presser if he was playing through someting)
I think he will explode out of it. He did a couple years ago after a similar start against Philly. Maybe the Habs just deserve some credit for devising a game plan to combat the Caps stars. Because despite the “off-night” of Green, Semin, and Ovie Jaro Halak had to make 45 stops!.
that trend won’t hold for Montreal through 7 games.