Leading the Way

Alex Ovechkin turned 33 years old on Monday, allowing the NHL world to reflect on his accomplishments before he reaches his mid-thirties.
Last March, Ovechkin, the first pick in 2004, became the fourth-fastest player in NHL history to score 600 goals, and his 607 goals rank 19th on the all-time list. With a 49-goal season last year, Ovechkin earned the Maurice Richard Trophy for the seventh time in his career, tying him with Bobby Hull for the most times an individual player has led the NHL in goals, and it also made him the oldest player (32) to lead the NHL in goals since 1974-75 (Phil Esposito).

Is it realistic to think he can break his own record in 2018-19, at age 33, and sit alone atop the list?

"Nothing surprises me with him anymore," said Tom Wilson, who's been Ovechkin's teammate for five years. "He's such a generational talent. This year, he looks great, he seems be having a lot of fun - you definitely don't see him getting any slower."
Added Jakub Vrana: "He's led the league in scoring so many times I can't even remember … He's always going to find new goals to reach. They're never easy, but at his level I'm sure he can do it."
For Ovechkin's veteran teammates, his greatness has become routine, even expected. For the younger players, it has set a blueprint on how to train and approach the job every day.

Alexander Alexeyev, the Caps first-round pick last June, said he tracks No. 8 in practice. The two fellow Russian's immediately shared a unique bond with one another; the Capitals' captain FaceTimed Alexeyev moments after he was drafted to offer him congratulations. Now, the 18-year old defensemen watches Ovechkin on the ice, trying to mimic the forward who practices like he's still fighting for a NHL job. He also observes Ovechkin's professionalism.
"I look up to him, take in all his advice and just watch how hard he works," Alexeyev said. "On and off the ice."
There are more milestones within a slap shot's reach - 34 more goals to slide into top 15 all-time; 300 more shots to move into third in NHL history; 18 more power-play goals to break into the top five all-time. But perhaps the greatest achievement was finally capturing the Stanley Cup. Ovechkin's performance through the 2018 playoffs reflected his ability to rise in the most critical moments.

He scored 15 times in 24 games, setting a franchise record for most goals in a postseason, and added 12 assists en route to the Conn Smythe Trophy. The Conn Smythe Trophy was the sixth individual award he's received in his career (Calder Memorial Trophy, Hart Memorial Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, Maurice Richard Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award and the Conn Smythe Trophy). Ovechkin is the only player in NHL history to win all six awards.
"He's a clutch player, he's our leader," Wilson said. "He's expected to change the game every single night and he does. Whether I'm sitting on the bench or (on the ice) with him, it's a front row seat to a pretty special talent, a special player."