Captain Clutch: Alexander Ovechkin Coming Up Big for Capitals

As the gates opened on the 2010-11 NHL season, Alexander Ovechkin and his Washington Capitals faced more pressure to succeed than ever before.  After a lackluster performance in Atlanta to open the season, Washington has reeled off four straight wins, with Ovechkin leading the way. 

After a season that saw Ovechkin's teams underperform in both the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver and in the 2010 NHL playoffs, he has led the way for the Caps through the first five games.  

In Washington's home opener, Ovechkin scored on one of his patented wrist shots from the top of the circle and notched a penalty shot goal on Martin Brodeur as the Caps blew New Jersey out.  

Against Ottawa two nights later, Ovechkin played an admittedly mediocre game, but emerged as the difference maker when the game was on the line.  After being held to just two shots in regulation, he screamed down the right wing and beat Pascal Leclaire through the five-hole with just seconds left in overtime to lift Washington to a 3-2 victory.

Hosting the Islanders later in the week, Ovechkin tied the game at one with under two minutes left in the second period with a bullet from the top of the circle, handcuffing goaltender Dwayne Roloson.  Late in the third period, with the Capitals getting thoroughly outplayed, Nicklas Backstrom deflected in an Ovechkin one-timer with less than five minutes on the clock.  

Fast forward to Saturday night against Nashville.  After spotting the Predators a 2-0 lead, the Capitals rallied to force overtime behind stellar play from rookie netminder Michal Neuvirth.  In the extra frame, Ovechkin's laser from the point was tipped in by Brooks Laich, giving the Caps their fourth straight victory.  

Ovechkin's offensive abilities are obviously what distinguish him, but he is leading in more areas than just in the opposing team's zone.  When the Islanders, already leading by a goal, broke in on a 2-on-1 late in the second period in last Wednesday's contest, who raced back and dove to break up the play?  Ovechkin.  

His play hasn't been exceptional by his standards, but he has nonetheless been the difference maker.  In the Capitals four victories thus far, Ovechkin has two game winning goals and the primary assist on the other two. 

Having a player like that instills a sense of confidence in the team, and can be seen on an almost nightly basis with the Capitals.  Ovechkin never quits playing and never believes he's going to come out the loser, and that outlook seems to have become contagious in the Caps' locker room.  

In addition to being the leader on the ice, Ovechkin welcomed Marcus Johansson to the NHL by pie-ing him in the face on television in celebration of the rookie's 20th birthday.  

When the team wins, Ovechkin is usually tagged as the hero, and when it disappoints, he's the poster child for their shortcomings.  Early on this season, he's been the driving force behind the team's resilient victories and looks to be hellbent on erasing last year's disappointments.