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A quick chat with Alexander Ovechkin
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Washington Capital Alexander Ovechkin was named one of the NHL’s three stars this week. He ended a nine-game goal drought, the longest of his NHL career, by tallying in each of Washington's four games last week. His is second among NHL scorers with 10 points (five goals, five assists). He leads all NHL forwards in ice time this season, averaging 23:00 per game. His plus-minus rating of +12 ranks second in the NHL to teammate Alexander Semin, who leads the league at +17.
Q: Talk about your line with (Nicklas) Backstrom and (Alexander) Semin and whether you're having as much fun as you've ever had in the NHL?
OVECHKIN: We have so much fun out there. And we just control the game. I think we pass to each other and we create some moments. We play all the time in the attack zone. If something happened with us, different guys take the game and control the game. So it's very cool.
Q: Do you think you can win the East or is the team too young? I know it's a formidable task, but do you think you guys could do it?
OVECHKIN: Well, we want to win everything. And our goal is not just to be playing, but we want to be the top team in the league.
Q: Who do you think is going to be the toughest to pass-Montreal, Pittsburgh, the Rangers?
OVECHKIN: It's just the beginning of the year. We have a goal and we want to go there, and we don't care about a team like Montreal or Pittsburgh. They have a great team, great young guys, great talent, but we think about ourselves and we think about our game.
Q: What is the toughest part for a rookie to adjust to the NHL?
OVECHKIN: I think the change in game, change in mentality. You go to the team and you know this is the NHL. Probably all the young guys dream to play in NHL and it's hard to realize that you're there. It's no more little kids, no more take the puck, beat five guys and the goalie and put it in the net. It's hard work here, and nobody makes it easy. You have to fight to stay here. You have to live for this.
Q: You’ve had the opportunity now to play with Sergei Federov for a year. How has he helped your game on or off the ice?
OVECHKIN: You know, first of all he's Russian; we can speak the same language and we can speak about everything, about hockey and about life. He's won everything. He won the Olympic Gold Medal, World Championships, and the Stanley Cup. He's one of the greatest Russian players in history. And to play with him on the same team, same line, it's a big honor me.
Q: How are you feeling now? You had a bit of a slow start to your season, and the family matters that sent you back to Russia. Was that weighing on your mind early in the season, was that a part of it?
OVECHKIN: I feel great. I feel free right now, and I'm right now enjoying my time again. I just think about the game and I think about the team, and I think about what I have to do better.
Yes, it was a hard time for me. Always thinking what's going on over there. But right now it's done and I know its fine. I know he's probably better; but it's life. I tell myself you can do nothing, just pray for him. But you can do nothing right now.
Q: How do you get past your slow start?
OVECHKIN: Just push myself to work hard. I still have lots of shots. I still have hits. I still have a moment to score goals. We just were scoring goals. I think that is why we had a slow start. I think we don't have slow start, we had a nice start, but we didn't score. But now it's changed. I think we just tore it up, and we just scored goals. It happens sometimes. You have some periods in the season like you can score, you can make some points. You just start thinking about what do I have to do better? What do I have to do-something special? Maybe, you just concentrate about your personal game.
Q: Soon it will be 2010. What are your thoughts for playing Russia in the Olympic Games?
OVECHKIN: I think everybody wants to play in the Olympics, first of all. I want to play in them. I think everybody wants to represent their country in the Olympics. Whatever the tournament when you have a chance, you still represent your country, the place you are from. I think it's always good when you have a chance to play for your country. It is always good when you just go somewhere and watch the people, see your old line mates, old friends, and have fun during the competition.
Q: Which team do you think is favored? Do you think Russia is?
OVECHKIN: In the Olympics, you never know. In the World Championships you can probably list the top five teams who fight for the championship. When the Olympics are in Canada though, I don't know.
Q: Do you think after last year's phenomenal season that more teams are just focusing on you after the 60-plus goal season?
OVECHKIN: I don't know. Maybe. But I told you I still have a great chance to score goals and that is more important.
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