People have dogged Alex Ovechkin for his defense over the years, but this season the conversation is a little bit different. Here’s a fun example. A few weeks ago, NBCSN held a panel discussion and Mike Milbury talked about why he thought Ovechkin shouldn’t block as many shots. Wut?
Ovechkin is making more of an effort defensively this season, and tonight came his greatest effort yet. The Russian machine broke up a two-on-one after hustling back and making a suicide dive towards the slot.
Look at this.
There’s a few amazing things going on here. Mike Green, who always used to play two-on-ones standing up, does the double leg slide to try and break-up the play. Then there’s Ovechkin coming out of nowhere to push the puck towards the corner.
Then I can’t forget Holtby who comes up with two giant saves in front of the net. Here’s the whole play.
I know the Capitals have lost three in a row, but this is a much different team from last year. Defensively they’re better. Offensively they’re dominating the possession. And the captain is coming out early for practice and being as committed to his defense as he is to his offense.
This is a good team.
GFY’s by Fedor Fedin.
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