Alex Ovechkin became the first player in one hundred years to score consecutive hat tricks to start the season. Ovi even added a fourth goal in the second period Saturday to tally his fourth career four-goal game ever. In a third-period stretch between Thursday and Saturday, Ovechkin has scored seven goals.
This is the best start to a season in Ovechkin’s career. So surely, there must be a reason for his insane early-season success.
Except no one really could.
The Bakery
After the game, Alex Ovechkin spoke to reporters and insisted the goal bonanza is due to his hard work and location on the ice.
Ovechkin even butchered a famous Brooks Laich line to make his point.
Ovechkin: "As @brookslaich said, if you want money, go to the bank. If you want goals, go to the net." Uh, it was something like that.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) October 8, 2017
Laich’s original quote was this.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: "If you want money, go to the bank. If you want bread, go to the bakery. If you want goals, go to the net." Brooks Laich
— MoniKa Platek (@MonikaPlatek) May 19, 2009
Ovechkin’s lucky family member
Ovechkin also thought he may have good juju because of his sister-in-law.
Ovechkin said his wife's sister is in town, and every time she's here, he scores a hat trick. "She's leaving Monday …"
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) October 8, 2017
Ovechkin: "I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to talk to someone to keep her here."
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) October 8, 2017
Hungry Ovi
Evgeny Kuznetsov thought Ovi’s already deep drive has gone into overdrive.
Kuznetsov on Ovechkin: "You can see maybe he's more hungry. I can see this in his eyes."
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) October 8, 2017
New twigs
Karl Alzner noticed Ovechkin’s new twigs.
Alzner was asked about Ovechkin: "CCM. He's got CCM back and seems to be scoring those goals again."
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) October 8, 2017
Maybe Ovechkin did change his training somewhat? Or maybe it’s his new linemates — Evgeny Kuznetsov and Jakub Vrana — who are a handful to defend themselves. The two players’ speed and stickhandling ability could be giving Ovechkin more open ice. Or maybe Ovi’s just having fun out there.
Who knows? Whatever the reason, Alex Ovechkin is on fire. And it’s another string of legendary performances in a legendary career.
What do you think is the cause of Ovi’s goal barrage?
Headline photo: Patrick McDermott
