Alexander Ovechkin still eluded by record-breaking goal
Chasing records tends to stymie even the best of players — and Alexander Ovechkin appears to be no exception.
It has now been over a week since the Capitals’ captain tied Sergei Fedorov’s record for most NHL goals scored by a Russian-born player. The ways in which that record-breaking 484th goal have eluded him are rather remarkable.
During the stretch since tying Fedorov’s record, Ovechkin, who registered eight goals in 15 games, has not successfully scored — with “successfully” being the key word. He has put the puck in the back of the net twice in the last three games, but both of those goal attempts were waived off following video review.
This isn’t to say that the towering winger is failing to make an effort. In last week’s game against the Red Wings, for example, he tallied an astounding 15 shots in an effort to break the record in the presence of Fedorov himself. He was denied all 15 times by netminder Petr Mrazek.
Sure, even the most score-savvy players go through goal droughts. But that’s somehow easy to forget when the player in question can call how many times he will find the back of the net. Perhaps that’s what has made this stretch tied with Fedorov at the 483-goal mark so curious.
Capitals coach Barry Trotz weighed in on Ovechkin and how the team can rally behind him, Brian Compton of NHL.com reported:
“I haven't talked to him about it, but the best advice I can give him is to play your normal game… He's scored a gazillion goals in this league, and to our team: Don't look for Ovi to score that goal. Don't overpass. He's scored a lot of goals. Play the way we play, and I guarantee you, he will score that goal, and he'll score many after that."
It isn’t as if that 484th goal is out of reach or that the Capitals' schedule is too trying. Washington returns to Joe Louis Arena this week for a rematch with the Red Wings on Wednesday, before heading home for a nice, long home stand. For Ovechkin, maybe notching that record-breaking goal at home will be a bit sweeter, on top of the fact it has been anything but easy for Ovechkin thus far.
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