As the NHL playoffs began, Alexander Ovechkin moved not a fundamentally different level of aggression and stiffness. The experienced striker understands that otherwise it is simply impossible to count on success in the Stanley Cup.

In fairness, Ovechkin not only does not spare the opponents, but he himself is ready to play even after crushing strength techniques and unpleasant blows with a club in the face. Once, the judges left the offender Ovechkin without punishment, and he was simply crazy.

Contrary to circumstances

The 2019/2020 season has become for Alexander Ovechkin one of the most productive in his career. In the regular championship, the Russian abandoned 48 goals, and also noted 19 productive programs. And this despite the fact that that NHL draw turned out to be shortened due to the coronavirus pandemic that was played out in the spring. The matches were stopped in March, and then hockey in North America resumed immediately from the playoff stage.

According to the results of the unfinished regular season, Ovechkin became the best scorer for the 9th time and won the prize Maurice Richard. True, I had to divide the award with the forward of Boston David Pastrnyak: the Czech was chosen no less. Alas, in the playoffs and Ovi and Capitals were not so successful. Already in the first round, the metropolitan club hit the New York Ilanders and could not cope with the opponent in five matches. Alexander at the same time managed to dial 2+2.

“No one will force me to bleed”

One of the most striking matches of that season with Ovechkin’s participation took place in January. Capitals in Washington took New Jersey Devils in Washington. Already in the first period, the hosts managed to secure a very comfortable advantage. Under the curtain of the twenty -minute, Ovechkin managed to distinguish himself twice.

In the second period, Capitals almost immediately strengthened the advantage, bringing the score to indecent – 3: 0. However, almost immediately they received the answer: “New Jersey” was not going to give up. At the same time, guests players in places practiced quite rude hockey. Ovechkin also got, who, in other ways, could not have restrained, apparently. In one of the episodes, the striker of Jersey Miles Wood drove a club in the face of a Russian – so much so that he broke his lip to the blood. Alexander had to go to the bench to heal the wound. Surprisingly, the judges blinked the episode and did not even punish Wood with a traditional fine for the raised stick.

– I received a club in the face, but the judges did not record violations of the rules. I do not think that Wood deliberately wanted to hurt me. As for the arbitrators, they simply did not notice this episode. True, after that I was slightly crazy, ”Ovechkin subsequently admitted to journalists.

Alexander Ovechkin / Photo: © TIM Nwachukwu / Staff / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

“Light madness”, as it turned out, can be a good motivator. Ovechkin was so excited that in the third period, already with a score of 4: 2 in favor of his team, he stuck the last puck into the gates of Jersey. And the official Washington account posted on social networks a photo of a bloodied Ovechkin with a signature: “No one will make me bleed.”

Fans after the match were indignant at the actions of the judges and expressed respect for the Russian hockey player for the resistance of character.

“Dad Ovi never breaks,” wrote Allcapskelly.

“This gave him fuel to a hat-trick,” Barb Crone suggested.

“There should be four minutes of a fine, but in the end nothing,” Sabir was indignant.

– How can you not see this?! – Erb was surprised.