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Capitals: Alex Ovechkin is top star of the week

By CJ Witt |
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 29: Capitals left wing Alexander Alex Ovechkin (8) takes a shot on net during the Nashville Predators vs. Washington Capitals NHL game on January 29, 2020 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 29: Capitals left wing Alexander Alex Ovechkin (8) takes a shot on net during the Nashville Predators vs. Washington Capitals NHL game on January 29, 2020 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 02: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals looks on before the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Capital One Arena on February 2, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 02: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals looks on before the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Capital One Arena on February 2, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

The all-star break has come and gone.

We’re now into the second half of the season. Games seem to get bigger, more intense and flat-out, more fun for fans to watch. The playoffs are not too far down the road and it becomes more and more clear where teams stand.

The Capitals stand at the top of the metro division. They will still have work to do however. Their lead is now only four points after looking like they would run away with the division title. The Penguins are hot on their heels. Washington’s results don’t look as hot since early December, Pittsburgh is one of the league’s best since then. Can the Caps hold on?

That’s a question better saved for later. Now, we get go back to naming stars of the week after a week off. You missed it, don’t deny it. At some point you will have to admit that this is in fact a highlight of your week. Who can blame you?

And we’re starting…NOW!

WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 02: A general view of the scoreboard during the first period of the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins as Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals is recognized for passing Mark Messier for 8th all-time on the NHL goal leaders list at Capital One Arena on February 2, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 02: A general view of the scoreboard during the first period of the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins as Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals is recognized for passing Mark Messier for 8th all-time on the NHL goal leaders list at Capital One Arena on February 2, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Alex Ovechkin

He was on fire before the all-star break. He went on vacation instead of to St. Louis, had to serve a one game suspension for making that choice, but the fire didn’t go out. He picked up right where he left off.

In the three games he played this week he scored three goals and added an assist for four total points. He’s creeping up on 700 career goals. It’s only a matter of time now before we’re celebrating this incredible accomplishment.

While the goals are the things people will focus on, rightly so, it wasn’t the only thing Ovechkin was doing this week. He led the team in shot attempts percentage at 67.06%, being on the ice for 57 shot attempts for and 28 against. He also had a 73.68% scoring chance percentage. That was 10% better than second place. Ovechkin was on the ice for 28 chances for and just 10 against.

Individually Ovechkin had some impressive numbers as you might expect. He had 20 shots, the second most being 13. He also had 17 scoring chances which was second on the team this week. His five high danger attempts tied for second on the team.

It just keeps getting more fun to watch this guy every night. The names he’s passing on the all time lists. More and more people are starting to realize that catching “The Great One” is a legit possibility. Doesn’t mean it WILL happen, but it could. Maybe he will officially become the greatest goal scorer of all time. But for now he’ll have to settle with being one of our stars of the week. It’s unclear which of those achievements is better.

WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 02: Lars Eller #20 of the Washington Capitals celebrates after scoring a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first period at Capital One Arena on February 2, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 02: Lars Eller #20 of the Washington Capitals celebrates after scoring a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first period at Capital One Arena on February 2, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Lars Eller

Maybe I’m too high on Lars Eller this season. But I don’t think so. I’ve said it a bunch up to this point and I’ll say it again. I think Eller has been one of the best Capitals players this entire season.

Maybe John Carlson was better in the early season when he exploded out of the gate, but to me there hasn’t been one Capital as consistent as Eller. Every night you notice this guy. Him being on the third line gives this team a huge advantage. The way he’s playing I’m not taking anyone’s third line center over Eller.

This week he tied for the team lead in points with five, tied with Jakub Vrana. He had two goals and three assists, all three helpers were primary assists. I’ll give a shout-out to Eller’s linemates here, Hagelin and Panik both helped out this week by finishing their chances. You could give a star to this entire line.

Eller’s advanced stats were fine, I guess, this week, not great, not bad. His Corsi% was a solid 52.81%. He was on the ice for 20 scoring chances for and 24 scoring chances against which is not good. He was also on the ice for seven high danger attempts and 17 against, that’s bad. Still, he was on the ice for three goals for and two against.

Eller this week had 12 shots, third on the team. He had 15 scoring chances, also third on the team. He also had 5 high danger attempts for, tied for second on the team with Ovechkin.

Eller drew five penalties this week which was a team high. The next highest being Garnet Hathaway with four. You usually don’t see numbers this high in a week, five is a lot of penalties drawn.

I don’t think I can sing the praises of Eller all season and then not put him on stars of the week after a week like this. It was a heck of a week for the Caps third line center. I wouldn’t expect him to slow down anytime soon.

OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 31: Washington Capitals Right Wing Tom Wilson (43) during warm-up before National Hockey League action between the Washington Capitals and Ottawa Senators on January 31, 2020, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 31: Washington Capitals Right Wing Tom Wilson (43) during warm-up before National Hockey League action between the Washington Capitals and Ottawa Senators on January 31, 2020, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Tom Wilson

Wilson is one of those players who always hovers around our stars of the week but never quite makes it. That, obviously, changes this week. He checked every box you need to make this list, he put up points, he had good stats and was noticeable on the ice.

This week Wilson had two goals and four points. Wilson started the season good in terms of goals scoring then hit a bit of a funk, it’s nice to see him get his scoring touch back.

Wilson’s Corsi% was 59.78%, third on the team this week behind only Alex Ovechkin and Nic Dowd. Wilson was on the ice for 29 scoring chances for an 18 against. That 61.70% was fourth on the team this week. Wilson was on the ice for 16 high danger attempts and 7 against. His 69.57% was behind only Ovechkin and his ridiculous 13 attempts for 2 against 86.67%.

Wilson was second in shots this week behind the obvious player and the guy we’ve already talked about. Wilson did lead the team in scoring chances with 19, even more than “the great eight”. He also had more high danger attempts, leading the team with nine.

Wilson drew three penalties this week. One reason that number is that high is frustrating his opponents. He really frustrated them this week throwing 23 hits. That’s almost double the second highest total this week which was Hathaway with 12. Keep your head up when 43 is on the ice.

When you hit as much as Wilson does and put up points it’s hard to not notice him. That’s why he will end up on our stars of the week this week.

A couple of honorable mentions this week. We already mentioned both Richard Panik and Carl Hagelin, they had a good week. Jakub Vrana also put up a bunch of points. I just noticed the three guys we named more. But another good week from the young star.

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Welcome back hockey! It was a well needed week off but it’s always good to have the great game back. As always, make sure to let us know who you think deserves to be on our stars of the week.

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