While the news out of Washington yesterday was that Dynamo Moscow's suit against Alexander Ovechkin was dismissed on jurisdictional grounds, everyone is still talking about that goal from over the weekend in Phoenix.
Capitals goaltender Olie Kolzig tried about a half dozen times during yesterday's practice to replicate the acrobatic goal scored by Ovechkin in Phoenix on Monday. Kolzig, lying flat on his back in full pads, managed to score only once."I show him how to do it," Ovechkin joked. "But he can't do it. He's a goalie."
In case you haven't seen it yet, click here. And click here for a graphic from the Washington Post going through the goal step-by-step.
In other Caps-related news, OLN is running a poll that asks if you'd cast an MVP vote for a player from a non-playoff team. Japers' Rink says yes, and wants you to vote too.
Be sure to stop by this feature on the top 11 rookie seasons of all time. And be sure to read Dave Fay's piece on how the Caps have stopped the bleeding on the ice and in the standings.
Finally, the Caps are actually playing a game tonight against the Blues, so stop by the official game day thread at Washcaps.com.
“The Hart Memorial Trophy is an annual award given to the player judged to be the most valuable to his team.”
Ovechkin has scored the highest percentage of his team’s goals (in fact has the 3rd highest single-season percentage of all-time right now). His value to his team in terms of wins, ticket sales, merchandising, respectability, etc. is immeasurable.
Of course, I realize it’s unlikely he’ll win it. After all, Pavel Bure didn’t in 2000-01 when, playing for the non-playoff Panthers he scored 59 goals, or 29.5% of Florida’s goals, the highest percentage ever for a season.