Alexander Ovechkin: Top NHL Highlights of His Washington Capitals Career

Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals has absolutely taken the National Hockey League by storm since making his debut on the grandest stage of them all in 2005.

The 26-year-old Russian superstar, drafted first overall in 2004, has sniped his way onto highlight reels year after year.

If you've had the pleasure of watching "The Great Eight" in action, it should come as no surprise just how dazzling his highlight reel is.

From the outstanding goals to the bone-crunching hits, "Ovie" really has constructed a solid all-around game.

Out of his quite lengthy resume, here's the very best of Ovechkin (in no particular order).   

Bedazzling the Habs

In a season that would see Alexander Ovechkin capture consecutive Hart Trophies and Rocket Richard Trophies, February 18, 2009 would produce another treat from "The Great Eight" for our eyes to feast upon.

The spin move around Montreal Canadiens defenseman Roman Hamrlik in itself was impressive, but to then fend off a back-checker, and maintain the composure to complete the play while on your back, is just another prime self-characterizing play.

Moves Like Jagr? Meet Ovie.

Jaromir Jagr carries a sturdy six-foot-three, 240-pound solid frame, who has been incredibly hard to knock off the puck his entire career.

That is, before Alex Ovechkin entered the league.

As Jagr tries to make a move in the third period in a contest between the Czech Republic and Russia at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, Ovechkin flattens him right at center ice. Talk about strength.

NHL Entry Draft

Growing up, it's easy to imagine many NHL players dreaming of the day they hear their name called from the podium at the NHL Entry Draft.

For Alexander Ovechkin, playing the waiting game was not in the cards. The Washington Capitals drafted "Ovie" first overall in 2004, a draft choice that even the Caps management could not have foreseen being as great as he has been.

Hole-in-One First Time Golfing

Alexander Ovechkin, while golfing for the very first time at the Washington Capitals annual charity golf tournament, unbelievably shot a hole-in-one.

I would be lucky to get a par on a par-3 my first time golfing, let alone a hole-in-one. Props to Ovechkin. What can't this guy do?  

First NHL Goal in First NHL Game

Without a doubt, scoring the first NHL goal must be an exhilarating moment. Alexander Ovechkin didn't have to wait too long.

In his first game donning a Washington Capitals jersey, the sniper not only scored his first NHL goal, seen in the accompanying video, but also recorded a second goal. 

Ovechkin also laid a big hit on Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Radoslav Suchy in his very first NHL shift that caused Suchy to slowly wobble off the ice. It's safe to say Ovechkin made an outstandingly popular first impression on the D.C. crowd.

65-Goal, Record-Breaking Season

Alexander Ovechkin's 2008-09 campaign was one of the most special NHL seasons the hockey world has seen in quite some time.

His 65 goals were the most scored since 2000-01 when fellow Russian speedster Pavel Bure tallied 59. Ovechkin also broke the record for most goals ever scored by an NHL left-winger that season, as previously held by Hall of Famer Luc Robitaille. 

Those 65 goals and his complimentary 112 points, would give Ovechkin his first Rocket Richard Trophy, Hart Trophy, Lester B. Pearson Award (since renamed the Ted Lindsay Award), and Art Ross Trophy. Quite an impressive season, especially when your peers vote you as the most outstanding player (Lester B. Pearson Award). He is the only player to have ever won all four awards in a single season.

All-Star Personality

Alexander Ovechkin has undeniably taken the NHL by storm through his dynamic talents and fearless game, but his jovial personality has also won over fans worldwide.

Just watching Ovechkin, he may celebrate a little excessively, but he seems to have his head on straight, and is quite humble given his skill set. As seen in the 2009 NHL Skills Competition, Ovechkin obviously likes to have fun, and put on a show for the crowd. The next day, in the All-Star Game, Ovechkin was humorously caught admiring a female fan in the stands, too Wayne Gretzky even said he's been doing more for the league than any other player. 

The four-time NHL All-Star easily could have been selected to play in the All-Star Game every season he's been in the league. However, his rookie season made way for him to participate in the NHL YoungStars Game (rookie game), and in 2010, the Vancouver Winter Olympics superseded the All-Star festivities for the year. 

One-Handed Goal

Alexander Ovechkin's one-handed goal on Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers might just be one of the best of his 301-goal career.

After making a slick move to get by Rangers defenseman Michal Rozsival, by putting the puck between his legs, Ovechkin's strength would take over. Rozsival does all he can to box out Ovechkin, but "The Great Eight" would make another highlight-reel play by chipping the puck up and over Lundqvist with just one hand on his stick.

Leave it to Alex Ovechkin to make something happen when it looks too difficult.  

P.K. Goes Airborne

In another impressive display of physicality, Alex Ovechkin lays a textbook hip check at center ice on Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban.

You know it's a great check when the recipient even praises it, as Subban humbly did. He had a great quote, following the contest, courtesy of The Washington Post:

"

I think it was the best hit of the year, to be honest with you.. I was flying through the air and I was wondering when I was coming down.

"

Ovechkin vs. Crosby

It's always a little extra special when you play your rival team, but even more special when a star like Alex Ovechkin takes out his counterpart in Sidney Crosby. 

Every 15 or 20 years, a talent like Crosby or Ovechkin enter the league. But when you get two of them in the same year, it's quite a treat. Ever since they both entered the league in 2005-06, the rivalry of these two premier talents has been well-documented. Until the day these two retire, this will arguably be the biggest rivalry throughout the NHL.

Dueling Hat Tricks

May 4, 2009 was one of the most memorable playoff games in recent memory. It was Alexander Ovechkin's Washington Capitals taking on Sidney Crosby's Pittsburgh Penguins. 

This back-and-forth tilt never had a dull moment (except maybe for intermissions), with plenty of high-octane hockey played between two increasingly-heated rivals. 

Both Crosby and Ovechkin scored hat tricks that game, but Ovechkin's third proved to be the game-winner, taking another battle in the war between the two superstars.

First Career Hat Trick

Since we're on the topic of hat tricks, how about the very first of Alexander Ovechkin's career?

This memorable January night in 2006 against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks surely wouldn't be the last night Ovechkin lights the lamp three times in one night. 

In net for Anaheim that night was Jean-Sebastien Giguere, now with the Colorado Avalanche.

Fastest Overtime Winner in History

Alex Ovechkin recorded one of his greatest performances in the NHL against the Atlanta Thrashers on December 15th, 2006 seen here.

Single-handedly, Ovechkin dominated the Thrashers, scoring all three goals for a hat-trick, including the game-winner in overtime.

That overtime goal was scored six seconds into the extra session, tying Mats Sundin and David Legwand for the fastest in NHL history.

It's just another example of how Alex Ovechkin can take over a game, put the team on his back, and carry them to victory. What a performance.

Shootout Repertoire

Watching this clip, you can't help but feel bad for goaltender Mike Dunham. Alexander Ovechkin made him look absolutely silly with this move, one that could beat any goaltender in the league.

Ovechkin has a laser of a shot, breakaway speed, and an effective physical edge. What sometimes gets overlooked is his one-on-one deking ability.

First Stanley Cup Playoff Goal

Regular season success is great and all, but playoff time is when it ultimately matters most. That's when the tournament begins for hockey's ultimate prize, Lord Stanley's Cup.

Like just about every other milestone in his career, Alex Ovechkin didn't have to wait long for his first playoff goal.

On April 11, 2008, Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Philadelphia Flyers, Ovechkin made a great anticipatory play to record his first postseason goal. That tally would stand as the game-winner to give the Caps a 1-0 series lead, though they would ultimately fall to the Flyers in a thrilling seven games. 

"The Goal"

There's no doubt about it. This is a goal that we'll never see duplicated, nor should we ever want to. 

If there was ever a play that summed up Alexander Ovechkin, this is undeniably the definitive one. The skill, determination, persistence, and coordination all come to light.

Even the opposing coach, "The Great One" Wayne Gretzky, was blown away, saying Ovechkin does more for the sport than anyone else. In case you've been living under a rock for the last 30 years, Gretzky is the NHL's all-time leading scorer. That's quite a compliment from arguably the greatest player of all-time.

Just watch and marvel. Don't be afraid to watch it again. I know, it's hard to resist.