Alex Ovechkin has one of the hardest shots in NHL history, and former Capitals defenseman Radko Gudas can attest to this from first-hand experience.
Before the Capitals and Ducks faced off Tuesday night, the rugged rearguard recounted a gruesome bruise he suffered due to Ovechkin earlier in his career while speaking to Monumental Sports Network’s Al Koken.
“I asked Radko, a former Capital, if he’s ready to go against his old friend, Alexander Ovechkin,” Koken recounted during the game. “He said, ‘Of course.’ I said, ‘Are you going to look to get a big hit on him?’ He said, ‘I’d, love to.’ He said, ‘The problem is A, it’s tough to get a clean look at him, and B, when you do, you usually feel it as much as Ovi does.'”
Koken added that “[Gudas] also told me about a shot he took from Ovechkin underneath the right shoulder pad on his tricep. He said he looked at it after the game. ‘Oh, there’s a bruise.’ He woke up the next morning, guys — the entire arm (was) black and blue. He said he learned a valuable lesson on how not to block an Alex Ovechkin shot.”
Even at age 39, Ovechkin’s shot remains among the league’s best — unbothered by father time. Per NHL Edge Stats:
Ovechkin is among the forward leaders in top shot speed (98.11 miles per hour; 99th percentile) and average shot speed (68.24 mph; 97th percentile) and ranks second at the position in 90-plus mph shots (22) behind Tage Thompson of the Buffalo Sabres (45). The Capitals have the third-most 90-plus mph shots (79) behind the Edmonton Oilers (100) and Tampa Bay Lightning (91).
And wouldn’t you know it, Gudas felt the sting of Ovi’s power again later during the actual game, He was on the wrong end of an Ovechkin shot late in the first period, collapsing to the ice after the puck ricocheted off his leg. Though Gudas kept Ovechkin’s attempt from getting on net, Aliaksei Protas picked up the loose puck before scoring on Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal.
Gudas stayed down through the ensuing goal celebration but was back on the ice after intermission, blocking yet another Ovechkin shot 6:24 into the second period no worse for wear.
