2009-10-19 08:29:00
The Hockey News player of the week for the period of October 12-18 is Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin.
The league leader in goals and points, Ovechkin tickled the twine four times and added two assists for six points in three games on the week.
In a 3-2 shootout loss to the Devils, Ovechkin was held without a goal, but was a plus-2 with seven shots in 24:31 of ice time, his most this season. Against San Jose, the sniper notched the game-winner in a 4-1 triumph and then Ovie capped off the week with two goals against Nashville, plus a beautiful shootout-winner past Dan Ellis to give the Caps a 3-2 win.
Ovechkin has played at least 20 minutes in each game so far this season and his 16 points in eight games has him three ahead of second in the scoring race, Joe Thornton.
The Capitals play twice on the road this week, when they visit the lowly New York Islanders and the surprising Atlanta Thrashers, who are two points behind Washington with three games in hand.
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This Week - Subscribe NowAll things considered, how would you rate this NHL season?
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“I think when you’re at home the first two games, sometimes you get a little bit too comfortable at home. Then you come on the road, maybe it’s like a rude awakening…We’ve had three series to figure that out, learn it. We definitely want to be better (Monday), especially in the first game on the road.”
- Chicago's Patrick Kane. The Blackhawks are 0-3 in Game 3s this playoff.