Wednesday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers marks the Capitals’ 1,000th game of the Alex Ovechkin era. According to Jon Press of Japers’ Rink, Ovi has played in 971 of those games, missing only 2% of those contests due to injury. Press added that Ovechkin has sat out 8 games due to suspension, 1 for bereavement, and another for oversleeping.
Capitals’ senior writer Mike Vogel sat down with Nicklas Backstrom after the morning skate and asked Ovechkin’s main centerman for much of the last 11 seasons, what he thought about the accomplishment.
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Rinkside Update | @backstrom19 breaks down tonight's divisional #RivalryNight matchup #CapsFlyers #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/aenMyCUmjH
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 31, 2018
Backstrom’s comments start at the 4:25 mark.
“It’s impressive,” Backstrom said. “I remember one time a couple of years ago he said something about Russian machine never breaks, right? It’s something to it, I think.
“But I mean it’s impressive that he has played this many games and hasn’t been hurt,” Backstrom concluded. “Good for him.”
Wait. What did he say?
Ah yes.
Nicklas Backstrom being on brand @russianmachine #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/QsXOLMXpeN
— HockeyKot (@hockeykot) January 31, 2018
Ovechkin first uttered RMNB in 2006. When asked about a potential injury after being hit with a puck, Ovechkin replied, “I’m okay; Russian machine never breaks.”
Ovi has since made several nods to the joke (that bore this website), such as needing an oil change in the locker room after a bloody lip.
“Changing the oil,” he said laughing.
Braden Holtby also referenced RMNB after Ovechkin miraculously returned from injury during a 2017 playoff game.
“I knew he’d be fine,” Braden Holtby said. “There’s a website named after him for a reason.”
Only five players have played in more games over that span (https://t.co/8xhz96QuSs). No one is even close in SOG, and Ovi's fourth in hits.
TL;DR: So much for the pundits who, c. 2006, opined that he couldn't possibly keep playing that style of game and not break down.
— Japers' Rink (@JapersRink) January 31, 2018
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