The Washington Capitals 2019-20 season has been a roller coaster but one things been constant. Alex Ovechkin was the top player, per usual.
It comes as no surprise but the best player on the Washington Capitals this season before the pause was Alex Ovechkin.
Perhaps no player is more hurt either and itching to get back on the ice than Ovechkin who was on the cusp of another 50-goal season.
Ovechkin played in 68 of the 69 games, having to sit out of one for skipping the All Star Game. He is tied for first in the NHL with David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins in goals scored with 48 on the season. He also has 19 assists for 67 points.
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Ovechkin has these monster numbers despite a mediocre plus minus of -12. 35 of his goals have come on even strength which lead the league while the other 13 have come on the power play. Three of his goals were game-winning goals.
Ovechkin has 14 even strength assists while the other five have come on the power play. His average time on ice is 20:40 night after night this season. His advanced stats include a 52.8 Corsi For percentage.
Ovechkin had several highlights throughout the season most notably his 700th goal and even the chase towards that milestone.
Over seven games from Jan. 13 to Feb. 4, Ovechkin scored 14 goals and even had three hat tricks on home ice to bring his total up to 598. His first hat trick came against the New Jersey Devils on Jan. 16 in a revenge game for the Caps after they were dominated by the same team a few days prior.
Ovechkin had two first period goals in that game including one on the power play. He added another in the third to unleash the hats onto the Capital One Arena ice.
The very next game the Capitals were at the New York Islanders. With the team down 4-1 entering the third period it was Alex Ovechkin was part of a five goal third period with two goals to complete his hat trick after scoring a goal in the opening period.
On Feb. 4 Ovechkin was held without a shot the whole game but then went on to have a natural hat trick in the third period. That game was my favorite comeback of the season because the building was silent the whole night but Ovechkin made it come alive by flipping the score.
Here is hoping the season resumes soon so we can continue to watch Ovechkin light the lamp night after night.