ALEX OVECHKIN

jan. 31, 2008 Capitals 5, Canadiens 4 (OT)

THREE WEEKS AFTER SIGNING a record 13-year, $124-million contract, Ovechkin looked like a bargain.

In what stands as the best game of his career, Ovechkin scored four goals, including the overtime-winner, and added an assist versus Montreal. Ovechkin was also a human pinata, taking a high stick to the face and later a puck to the mouth, both of which required stitches. He also broke his nose. But he didn’t miss a shift, finishing with a game-high five hits and scoring in all four periods. It was a signature moment during his first MVP campaign.