Ovechkin vs. Crosby

Hey guys, this is an article I wrote for my school paper not too long ago. It's a hockey article based on hockey's ultimate question: Who's hockey's best player? Alex Ovechkin or Sidney Crosby?


Alex Ovechkin vs. Sidney Crosby: The Debate Continues
By Josh Handszer

Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby. The Rivals. Ovi and Sid the Kid. Since both players emerged into the NHL during the 2005-06 season, they have had the media spotlight upon them. Both are #1 overall draft picks as well as Captains of their teams. Among being the game’s two best players, they are only set to get better as they mature. Their accomplishments have sparked the great debate of the NHL: Who is the better player? Some decide the 22 year-old Crosby, Canada’s golden boy and Wayne Gretzky’s heir. Other decide the Russian-born, accolade accumulating, show-boating, 24 year-old Ovechkin. They are easily comparable and also easily contrasting players. So, who is the best player in the NHL? I give my vote to:

Alex Ovechkin
Jersey: #8
Position: Left Wing
Team Affiliated: Washington Capitals

MVP. Face of the NHL. Phenomenal. Best in the game. Powerful. Aggressive. The Human High-Light Reel. Those are the words used to describe arguably the best player in the NHL: Alex Ovechkin. Many argue that Crosby is better than Ovechkin. While arguable, I tend to believe that this is mistaken. Ovi actually leads Crosby in individual stats and shows how much better he is with his performance on the ice. Another factor which has prompted many to crown Crosby best in the game is because Crosby is from Canada, where the spot originated and where “The Great One,” Wayne Gretzky is from. While Crosby was in the minors, many believed he would be the heir to Gretzky, mainly because he is Canadian like Gretzky and that he has great skill. This furthermore increases the hype and overrates Crosby as the better player. Ovechkin,
who is from Russia, is sometimes not perceived as better because he is from Russia rather than from Canada. Hockey fans want to see Crosby become the better player because he is Canadian, like the sport. As well, the two players dislike each other, often making comments on one another’s performance on the ice and trash talking. One could not ask for more from hockey’s two best players. They are hockey’s greatest rivals.

In his career (2009-10 included), Ovechkin has a career total of 516 points and 263 goals in contrast to Crosby’s 484 points and 177 goals. Ovechkin has the greater numbers than Crosby, even though they began their careers the same season. However, one may argue about their positions. Ovechkin is a left wing while Crosby is a center. It is well known that wingers usually score more goals and accumulate more points than centers. But Crosby is considered as good if not better than Ovechkin not because of his career numbers, but because of his role in championships. In the 2008-09 season, Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins won the Stanley Cup after they defeated the Detroit Red Wings. To get to the Cup game they defeated Ovechkin and the Caps in the Conference Semi-Finals. At the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, Crosby and Team Canada crushed Ovechkin and Team Russia 7-3 in the Quarter Finals, eventually winning the gold medal over Team USA. Crosby’s championships certainly do tell the story to why he is in the discussion. However, while Ovechkin doesn’t have the championships he does have 2 MVPs, the Rookie of the Year award, and 2 Most Outstanding Player awards.

While accolades certainly don’t stand out as much as championships do in sports when debating the best player, Ovechkin is certainly an exception. With a keen sense on the ice and an attitude committed to winning Alex Ovechkin, arguably, is the best player in the NHL. Perhaps Ovechkin will get his shot at a championship this year, as the Caps currently are in 1st place in the Eastern Conference and have the best record overall at 47-14. Wouldn’t it be great to see an Ovechkin vs. Crosby Eastern Conference final? It would truly bring out the best in both players to decide who is the best. As of now, I have to pick Ovechkin as hockey’s best player for years to come. His performance on the ice amazes hockey fans everywhere. It is truly a privilege to watch him skate. While Crosby is a fantastic player, Ovechkin is a better player skillfully. Sorry Sid the Kid, but Ovi is hockey’s savior.



Agree/Disagree? Have at it!

picture citations:
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2008/writers/michael_farber/03/18/60.goals0324/p1_ovechkin.jpg
http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/0905/nhl.playoffs.crosby.ovechkin.rivalry/images/sidney-crosby-alex-ovechkin-game-7.jpg
http://cdn.faniq.com/images/blog/ce9f0e75cc73a018dcebb06810d74d98.jpg
http://flamesfan77.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/sidney_crosby_og_al_219069c.jpg