Capitals' Alexander Ovechkin Named Top Eastern Conference All-Star Reserve

Reigning MVP Alexander Ovechkin finally got the word from the NHL that he has been highly anticipating.

He is the top reserve representing the Eastern Conference, ending any reason to speculate that the NHL has gone bonkers, and somehow left the Gretzky clone off of this year's roster.

This news is not unexpected, but comes with a bit of controversy.

Ovechkin set the record for most goals scored by a left wing (65) last season.

He has lighted the lamp for 27 tallies so through the first half of this 2008-2008 campaign.

However, he was not chosen to start the All Star game in Montreal, finishing in the fan balloting and text message bonanza behind several NHL wunderkinds.

Pittsburgh Penguins forwards Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin received the most votes.

The Montreal Canadiens are this year’s hosts, and have four starters from their squad starting for the Eastern Conference on Jan. 25.

They are goaltender Carey Price, forward Alex Kovalev, and defensemen Andrei Markov and Mike Komisarek.

To add insult to further injury for the Washington Capitals, “the Great Eight” will be only player to represent his team.

Coach Bruce Boudreau let his feelings fly when he heard Ovechkin was not going to start, calling the current fan-based voting system “dumb.”

“Gabby” became more indignant when he realized other notable players from his second place team in the Eastern Conference would be staying in Washington for the game.

The players he mentioned that he believed deserved recognition are as follows:

Nicklas Backstrom (12 goals 33 assists)

Mike Green (ten goals 16 assists in 28 games played)

Alexander Semin (14 goals 20 assists in 40 games played)

Both Green and Semin have missed significant ice time with lingering injuries.

Green injured his shoulder while taking a vicious hit from Anaheim Mighty Ducks enforcer Chris Pronger in early November.

Despite the nagging discomfort he still has in that shoulder, he leads the good guys in red with eight power play goals.

Semin started the season hotter than a Paris Hilton photo shoot.

Then he injured his back and declared he would not return to the ice until 100 percent healthy.

He has sat out 18 of the Capitals 41 games played.

The Caps (27-11-3) trail the Eastern Conference leading Boston Bruins (30-7-4 64 points) by seven points in the standings, heading into tonight’s battle in the beltway with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

There is one rule specifically that has drawn the ire of the Capitals’ winningest coach through his first 100 games.

All 30 teams must have at least one player represented in the All Star game.

That leaves little room for one team to send multiple players.

Someone is going to end up on the short end of the stick.

Boudreau went on to underline the stupidity of this rule with some more candid comments.

“I don’t agree with this process,” said an exasperated Boudreau.  People would much rather see the best players in the world rather than one representative from every team.”

No truer words have been spoken coach.

The last place team should not be rewarded for its futility, because it is fair.

It is not fair to penalize a team for having a great season, because it is not located in a major marketing venue either.

I believe that is why no one in the national media has given the Capitals any credit for achieving the record they have.

In fact, I have heard former Tampa Bay Coach Barry Melrose quoted as referring to them as the “Crapitals.”

Jealousy is so unbecoming of you Barry.

I know you are in the bitter barn, because you were given your walking papers after just 16 games coached in sunny Florida.

That is your cross to bear.

I also wonder why Caps’ fans let the chance to send in their votes using the convenient method of text messaging go unfettered?

The failure to “rock the vote” is your responsibility.

Ovechkin needed more from his hometown crowd.

Ticket sales have increased at the Verizon Center by 40 percent.

No excuses are acceptable for not speaking up for your Russian assassin.

Ovechkin is scary good folks.

He had this to say upon hearing about his official selection to the All Star team.

“I know it’s going to be a sick atmosphere.”

I for one cannot wait to see the skills competition, traditionally held on the Saturday before the game.

That wrist shot of his is wicked.

San Jose goalie Evegeni Nabakov better beware of the biscuit when no. 8 is on the ice.

Notes:

Here’s the list of the other 14 Eastern Conference Reserves respectively:

1.       Atlanta Thrashers center – Ilya Kovalchuk

2.       Boston Bruins goalie – Tim Thomas

3.       Boston Bruins center – Marc Savard

4.       Boston Bruins defenseman – Zdeno Chara

5.       Buffalo Sabres forward – Thomas Vanek

6.       Carolina Hurricanes center – Eric Staal

7.       Florida Panthers defenseman – Jay Bouwmeester

8.       New Jersey Devils forward – Zach Parise

9.       New York Islanders defenseman – Mark Strait

10.   New York Rangers goalie – Henrik Lundqvist

11.   Philadelphia Flyers forward – Jeff Carter

12.   Ottawa Senators forward – Zach Parise

13.   Tampa Bay Lightning center – Vincent Lecavalier

14.   Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman – Tomas Kaberle