Disturbing silence: Ovechkin does not score 13 games in a row and is a step away from his record

The statistics of the current season for Alexander the Great look alarming for a player of such a historical caliber. On account of Ovechkin only 5 (1+4) points in 18 matches held with the overall indicator of utility “minus 3”. In the last meeting with the Devils, the Russian striker spent 11 minutes and 5 seconds on the ice. During this time, he scored 4 shots to the goalpost, made 1 miss and completed the game with a usefulness of "minus 2". The lack of usual sharpness and effectiveness in attack becomes a systemic problem for the five team, which used to rely on his signature click.

The 4-7 defeat by New Jersey only underscored Washington’s overall tactical difficulties. The team showed serious lapses in defense, conceding seven goals, which negated any comeback attempts. In such conditions, the leader is expected not just to be on the ice, but to be able to change the course of the game with one accurate throw or pass. So far, however, Ovechkin has only been ramping up his throws (27 in the past 13 games) without finding a way to turn them into coveted goals, which is critical to the club's Eastern Conference tournament ambitions.

Against the background of personal difficulties of the captain of “Washington” the bright event of the match was the debut in the strongest league of the hockey world of 20-year-old Russian defender “Davils” Anton Silaev. Called from the pharmaceutical club "Utica" to replace the injured Jonathan Kovacevich, the student of the Nizhny Novgorod hockey spent 12 minutes and 45 seconds on the ice. Prior to that, in the AHL, he scored 4 (0+4) points with a plus 8 utility in 12 games. In the debut match, our grenadier was remembered not only for a reliable game in defense (2 shots, 1 block, 1 interception), but also for a power struggle, applying a tough and clean hit against Ovechkin himself.

Let’s return to the most famous pupil of the Moscow “Dynamo”. Dry numbers are inexorable: the best sniper in NHL history with 930 goals in 1,592 games is going through one of the most difficult periods of his overseas career. Age-related changes and fatigue accumulated over the years take their toll, and recovery time between games is reduced.

Despite the status of a living legend, hockey remains a game of speed and physical strength, where time spares no one. If in previous years, Ovechkin could afford long pauses between goals, knowing that he would play them back with interest, now every scoreless game increases the pressure. It comes from both the media and their own high expectations.

A streak of 13 matches with no goals thrown brings Alexander closer to the historic low of his regular season career. Washington has a tight schedule ahead and the next match will be a decisive test of strength for the entire team. Either the 41-year-old Russian forward breaks his silence and halts the alarming statistics, or the 14-game record will be officially updated.

In the latter case, it will require the Capitals coaching staff and all the fans to seriously restructure and find new sources of optimism. And yet the main goal for which Ovechkin continues to take to the ice this season remains unchanged. We are talking about the absolute record of Wayne Gretzky in total number of goals for his career, taking into account playoff matches. On account of the Great 1016 goals (894 in the regular championships + 122 in the playoffs). Ovechkin currently has 1007 goals (930+77).

Alexander has only 9 goals left to beat the legend and become the sole owner of the most prestigious sniper achievement in the history of hockey. It is this historic peak that keeps him on the ice, forcing him to endure current difficulties. Each goalless series is now perceived especially painful, because time is inexorable, and the right to error in the pursuit of eternity is rapidly declining.