Alex Ovechkin: The Dark Knight Of the NHL
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Alex Ovechkin has had an interesting NHL career. Despite being arguably the most talented and the most human player in the NHL, Alex Ovechkin is also arguably the league’s most hated player. At the same time, one could make the argument that Alex Ovechkin is the league’s most popular player. As a comic book nerd, I can’t help but notice the similarities between Alex Ovechkin and Batman. Alex Ovechkin is the Dark Knight of the NHL. What makes him that?
Alex Ovechkin Plays To Win
Batman is famous for tip-toeing (at times crossing) the line between good and evil to ensure that justice is dealt out. Likewise, Alex Ovechkin does whatever it takes to win games and score goals. Ovechkin is most famous for camping out around the face-off circles, much like the Dark Knight stalks his foes from a distance. However, Ovechkin can score from pretty much anywhere on the ice.
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Just like Batman, Alex Ovechkin vanquishes his foes using a variety of “tools”. He can beat you by sniping a power play goal from his hideout (the face-off circles). He can muscle his way near the crease and deflect shots. He can fight for rebounds and put them in. Even if Ovechkin doesn’t score on you, few in the NHL can hit harder than him and few in the NHL can take more damage and keep on going than him. Likewise, Batman can deal out and take a ton of punishment.
Like Batman, Alex Ovechkin Is Human
Perhaps the number one reason that Batman is my favorite superhero is because he is so human. He’s flawed. He deals with real life problems. However, he doesn’t let that stop him from being Batman. Alex Ovechkin is extremely human. He has his flaws. He’s not the best defensively. He deals with a ton of criticism. Short of Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf, I don’t think any star in the NHL gets more hate from the media than Ovechkin.
Alex Ovechkin scores goals at a borderline historic pace? Too bad Ovi, you’ve got to block shots and be a complete player! Ovechkin blocks shots under Dale Hunter? But you’re not scoring Ovi! Stars are supposed to score! Alex Ovechkin is in the midst of a career year this year? Well, he wouldn’t be having it without Barry Trotz and Nicklas Backstrom!
Speaking of Backstrom and Trotz, I see them as Alex Ovechkin’s sidekicks. Backstrom is Ovechkin’s Robin. Like Robin, Backstrom is often overlooked because he’s in the shadows of a hero. However, anyone who watches the Washington Capitals understands how important Backstrom is to the success of Alex Ovechkin. Anyone who understands Batman understands how important Robin is to the Dark Knight. Does that make Ovechkin any less incredible? No, just like Batman is a fantastic hero despite the fact that he relies on Robin. Backstrom, just like Robin, is completely content being in the shadows of the main hero.
Barry Trotz is Alex Ovechkin’s Alfred. Batman would not be Batman without Alfred’s guidance and wisdom. Likewise, Ovechkin wouldn’t be as complete of a player as he is right now without Trotz. Alfred pushes Batman to be the best hero that he can be. Likewise, Trotz has helped Ovechkin become the best player that he can be.
Alex Ovechkin Has Some Pretty Awesome Enemies
Another reason why I love Batman comics so much is because Batman has very special and unique enemies. Batman also seems to have an interesting relationship with most of them. Alex Ovechkin has enemies too, and they are all very viable foes.
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Batman’s biggest foe is The Joker. Ovechkin’s biggest foe? Sidney Crosby. The relationship that Batman and Joker have is best summarized by two great exchanges in The Dark Knight:
"Batman: Then why do you want to kill me?Joker: I don’t want to kill you! What would I do without you? Go back to ripping off mob dealers? No, You… you complete me.Joker: You just couldn’t let me go, could you? This is what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object. You truly are incorruptible, aren’t you? Huh? You won’t kill me out of some misplaced sense of self-righteousness and I won’t kill you because you’re just too much fun! I think you and I are destined to do this forever."
Batman and Joker have an interesting relationship. Despite hating each other’s guts, I believe that deep down, both Batman and Joker realize that they need each other. Just as Batman and Joker are “destined to do this forever”, I feel the same way about Alex Ovechkin and Crosby. They complete each other and it’s hard to think of one without the other. Where would Crosby and Ovechkin be without each other? If Ovechkin wins a cup, he’ll likely have to go through Crosby to do it. I wouldn’t have it any other way, and I’m sure Ovechkin feels the same way. Like Batman and Joker, Ovechkin and Crosby are enemies, but they have a lot of respect for each other.
Batman’s toughest foe has always been Bane. Not only is he extremely strong, he is also extremely smart (except in Batman and Robin). None of Batman’s foes match his physicality and brains. Alex Ovechkin has a Bane of his own in a duo of New York Rangers defensemen: Dan Girardi and Ryan McDonagh. Few players can say that they can shutdown Alex Ovechkin. Girardi and McDonagh are the only two players off the top of my head that Ovechkin has consistently struggled against.
Alex Ovechkin is the Dark Knight of the NHL. Batman’s heroics aren’t always appreciated and neither are Ovechkin’s. Despite that, they still do what they do.