Alex Ovechkin's variety of scoring methods impress Sidney Crosby, Penguins

Sidney Crosby didn’t need long to mull over the query.

Is Alex Ovechkin the best goal-scorer he has witnessed?

“Since I’ve been in the league?” the Penguins captain said. “I think we can expand on that. I think a long time.”

Crosby’s notion has been validated this season as the Washington Capitals’ captain has climbed from 14th on the NHL’s career goals list to eighth with 695 goals.

During his ascent, Ovechkin surpassed Luc Robitaille (668 goals), Teemu Selanne (684), Mario Lemieux (690), Steve Yzerman (692) and Mark Messier (694). Each of those gentlemen have plaques on a wall of a building in Toronto known as the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Barring anything unforeseen, Ovechkin could overtake Hall of Famers Mike Gartner (708) and Phil Esposito (717) before the season ends.

At 34, it’s entirely possible for Ovechkin to surpass Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record of 894 goals.

Crosby, who is 57th in NHL history with a mere 455 goals, appears more impressed by the variety of goals Ovechkin scores than the sheer volume.

“He’s able to get it off from all different positions,” Crosby said Saturday, a day before facing the Capitals for the first time this season. “It’s obviously a heavy shot, but it’s accurate, too. It’s one of those things where to score at the clip that he’s scored at, it needs that. Him being able to get into position to get those shots off, it’s not a huge thing to do it from one spot and score like that. But you’ve got to do it from different areas and create opportunities on your own, too. And he’s been able to do that.”

Crosby and Ovechkin entered the NHL in 2005-06 after the lockout wiped out the 2004-05 season and have stood as the faces of the league. While the Penguins and Capitals have shed a fair amount of blood over that span, any rivalry between Crosby and Ovechkin is rooted in commonality, according to Crosby.

“We see each other a lot as far as games and being in the same division and playoffs and that kind of things,” Crosby said.

“It’s not something that’s changed a whole lot. It’s cordial and respectful. We’re not best buddies, but at the same time, I respect the way he plays and what he’s doing. Can relate to the pressure and the expectations he was in coming into the league. That’s probably the best way I can describe it.”

Crosby sees few if any alterations in Ovechkin’s game since their rookie seasons.

“Nothing’s changed since he came in the league as far as the way he shoots the puck and his ability to score goals,” Crosby said. “He’s done it consistently since entering the league. He’s probably found different ways. His shot, obviously, and being on that off wing there, that one-timer, that shot from that area, is probably what he’s known for. But he scores so many different ways. Whether it’s off the rush or getting to the front of the net sometimes, he’s found different ways to score.”

One member of the Penguins who figures to have more immediate concerns with Ovechkin than Crosby is defenseman Kris Letang. As a right-handed defenseman, Letang routinely has matched up with Ovechkin on the left wing for the past decade.

“If you give him time and space, he’s really dangerous,” Letang said. “He’s one of those special players that it doesn’t matter how you want to cover him, he’s going to find a way to be successful in any shape and form. It’s always a fun challenge against him.”

Fun? Perhaps. Daunting? Absolutely.

“Every shot he takes is a dangerous one,” Letang said. “He can take a wrist shot from almost the blue line and it’s really dangerous. But he can also release it quick. He has a big frame. He’s tough to move. When you’re battling with him one on one, he’s not moving. You have to play smart with him.”

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