Dream Matchup: Red Wings V Capitals

Steven J. Ward by Contributor Written on May 21, 2009
WASHINGTON - MAY 13:  Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals and Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins shake hands after Pittsburgh's 6-2 victory in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinal  Round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center on May 13, 2009 in Washington, DC.  (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Great Eight

Is there any doubt in the wake of the Pittsburgh Penguins-Washington Capitals playoff series who is the most outstanding player in the NHL?

Despite the Caps falling short against the Penguins in a long, extremely physical seven game series, Alex Ovechkin stood so far superior to all others  that he was often beyond the reach of network cameras as he flew end to end several meters above team-mates and opposition alike.

At times, the Pens would try and entangle him in a physical style but Alex thrives on such things, so too would the opposition shadow him with two or more players collapsing on him.

Ovechkin always found a way to shake em. When time came to ignite the crowd or his team-mates or even himself, The Great Eight ran everything in sight with the speed and power of an NFL linebacker.

What a shame the NHL and the world will be cheated out of a matchup featuring Detroits' Pavel Datsyuk or Henrik Zetterberg against Alex Ovechkin, not to mention the rest of their respective team-mates in a main event that would most certainly shatter, repeatedly, the sound barrier.

To tell you the truth, any other potential opponent for Detroit Red Wings has the appeal of a peanut butter sandwich on white bread.

Alas hockey fans, we may have some excitement still but with-out the Washington Capitals and Alex Ovechkin the Wings will have to work extra hard to make it exciting.

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written on May 21, 2009 Opinion

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