National Post (National Edition)
‘This was one of his better years’
It’s finding ways to affect the outcome even when the points aren’t coming.
The Washington captain claimed 13 of 18 firstplace votes to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the playoffs. And he did it every which way in this championship run.
It was side of his game that we hadn’t seen before. Like Yzerman, who transformed from a 137-point scorer to a Selke Trophy winner in the latter part of his career, Ovechkin appeared to have unlocked the secret to team success.
It doesn’t mean he’s going to challenge Boston’s Patrice Bergeron and Los Angeles’ Anze Kopitar as the best defensive forward next season. But moving forward, his game is more than just about goals and points.
“It was a huge statement from him,” said MacLellan. “This was one of his better years that he’s played overall. I think he’s played a better team game all year, he’s been more of a leader the whole year. I mean, you see in the playoffs, he’s our best player — blocking shots, playing good in the D zone, playing good in the neutral zone, he’s doing all the little things and when he’s doing them it makes everyone else want to do them too.”
So, can Washington repeat?
Well, that might depend on whether head coach Barry Trotz decides to return and if MacLellan can figure out a way to fit unrestricted free agent John Carlson under the cap. But for the most part, the majority of this year’s roster is returning. And after finally getting over the hump, it’s returning with a King Kongsized monkey off its back.
“It meant everything,” Ovechkin said following Thursday’s win. “I think this moment, we waiting a long, long time. Since Day One, (owner Ted Leonsis) told me one day we’re going to win it. It was the first year. I don’t even know what the team is. I knew he wanted it so bad. This organization wants it so bad. It’s nice to be part of it. It’s nice to be in this organization all 13 years. It just was joy. Was tough time, but we fight through it and we get result.”
Now, the pressure is off. Like Yzerman and the NFL’s John Elway, who won his first Super Bowl when he was 36 and then repeated as champs the next year, Ovechkin has managed the seemingly impossible.
Who’s to say he won’t do it again — and again.