Classic Ovechkin is back

Alex Ovechkin has 48 points in 43 games this season. (Photo by  Greg Fiume)

After Tuesday night’s game in Washington D.C., Alex Ovechkin is definitely back.

Yes, this has been obvious for around a month now, as the 27-year-old left-winger has surged in scoring – 19 goals in his last 18 games – and is setting himself up for a third Rocket Richard Trophy. Ovechkin leads the league with 28 goals this season, one ahead of Steven Stamkos’ 27.

Lockout aside, “The Great 8” has returned to his point totals of previous years. Hypothetically, if this had been a full season, Ovie’s 48 points in 43 games would average to 91 points in 82 games, also assuming he made the lineup every night. It’s quite exciting to know that Ovechkin is slowly returning to his old self, after a 2011-12 campaign where he led the entire Caps team with a measly 65 points, much unlike his three-straight 100-point seasons between 2007 and 2010.

Now, I don’t see as many games involving Washington as I used to, so I don’t see everything Ovechkin does night in and night out. On a general basis, I believed Ovechkin had toned down his game and become much less physical, ever since he boarded Chicago Blackhawks’ Brian Campbell in March 2010 and was ejected. It seemed like a moment where Ovie realized how reckless his play had become, and he backed off a little.

My stance changed last night against the Maple Leafs.

As the video shows, Jay McClement of the Leafs throws a pretty nasty hit on Nicklas Backstrom, which Ovechkin will have none of. He attacks McClement without a second thought, and stands up for his teammate. Often times you won’t see an immediate response from players following a dirty hit, but Ovie, already headed in that direction, goes straight for McClement. I don’t blame him at all; in fact I commend him for not letting McClement get away with a cheap shot.

A Leafs fan I most certainly am, but I have no problem watching my favourite players get bowled over when they do something cruel, like boarding. Daniel Alfredsson got major brownie points last month when he stood up to Zac Rinaldo for a similar incident. Retaliation? Yes, but a good way to keep players in check. Ovechkin should have no shame for sitting in the box for 2 minutes, after “charging” McClement. It thankfully shows that Ovechkin has not turned into the submissive veteran I thought he might have.

Needless to say, the classic Alexander Ovechkin we once knew (and possibly despised) is back! Get ready for a strong playoff run by the Capitals…

Ovechkin celebrating his goal against the Leafs, April 16, 2013. (Photo by Alex Brandon)