History Looms for Ovechkin
Capitals Rookie Is on the Verge of 50 Goals, 100 Points
Alex Ovechkin needs two goals and six points to reach 50 goals and 100 points. Teemu Selanne is the only player to achieve this in his first year.
(Charles Laberge - Getty Images)
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Saturday, April 1, 2006
MONTREAL, March 31 -- Alex Ovechkin has 10 games remaining to cement his place in NHL history, in both statistics and awards.
But if the pressure is getting to the Washington Capitals rookie, he's not admitting it. And, more importantly, he's not playing like it.
"I don't feel pressure," Ovechkin said before Friday's practice at Bell Center. "I will try. If you go to ice and you think, 'I must score' or 'I must get some points,' you won't score or get any points. You must go and play and don't think about it."
After collecting a pair of assists in the Capitals' 3-2 overtime loss to the Canadiens on Thursday, Ovechkin, who has at least one point in seven consecutive games, needs only two goals and six points to reach the prestigious plateau of 50 goals and 100 points, achieved by one other first-year player (Teemu Selanne, who had 76 goals and 132 points for the Winnipeg Jets in 1992-93).
But numbers aren't the only things he's chasing. The 20-year-old left wing also has two weeks to convince observers that his name deserves to be added to the Calder Trophy, given to the league's top rookie. Ovechkin has 16 more goals and 14 more points than Pittsburgh Penguins rookie Sidney Crosby through Thursday's games.
Ovechkin's quest resumes Saturday night against the Senators at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa.
"I think rookie of the year" is more important, Ovechkin said. He then paused before saying, "But if I score 50 goals, I will win rookie of the year."
Although Ovechkin has yet to complete his first NHL season, his impact on the game is impossible to ignore, particularly in hockey hotbeds like Montreal, where hordes of fans wore his black No. 8 Washington Capitals jersey inside Bell Center. Although they are passionate about their Canadiens, most of the fans in the sold-out arena also gave Ovechkin a booming ovation when the starting lineups were announced.
Ovechkin fed the buzz by wearing a mirrored visor (think "RoboCop") for the first time as an NHL player. He's worn the flashy shield in international competition.
Friday morning brought another testament to his growing legend. A news conference at Bell Center sponsored by his equipment manufacturer attracted several dozen cameras and reporters, all of whom packed into a small club-level restaurant to get an interview with one of the game's most exciting players -- and find out his new nickname.
It's "Alexander the GR8" as voted by fans, who submitted nominations to the skate and stick company.
"I'm happy the fans chose this nickname," Ovechkin said. "But right now, I'm Alex Ovechkin. Not Alex the Gr8."
So, people can still call you Alex?
"Your choice," he shot back with a laugh.
