In an interview with Sports Express, Washington Capitals defenseman Alexander Alekseev weighed in on the toughest opponents in the NHL, drawing a comparison between his teammate Alexander Ovechkin and Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid.
Who poses the biggest challenge? McDavid is exceptional, Alekseev noted, yet there were moments in his most recent game with the Oilers when McDavid managed to recover and simply had to loft the puck into the zone, showing that even the league’s elite can be pressured into quick, instinctive plays.
As for the perennial questions about Ovechkin versus McDavid, Alekseev acknowledged that both players have distinct advantages. Ovechkin, he suggested, brings a different kind of impact that makes him formidable to face night after night.
On December 11, Washington faced the Chicago Blackhawks and emerged with a 4-2 victory. Ovechkin contributed an assist in that game but did not find the back of the net, extending a goalless stretch to ten games. This marked a notable moment in the forward’s ongoing pursuit within the NHL.
During this season, the 38-year-old Ovechkin has appeared in 25 games and accumulated 16 points, consisting of 5 goals and 11 assists. Meanwhile, McDavid, aged 26, has played 23 games, recording 10 goals and 26 assists to date, underscoring the high-octane production from both stars.
Earlier remarks from the Russian NHL players touched on what may be missing in Russia’s hockey landscape, adding a broader context to their observations about the league and its star players. As analysts and fans parse these comments, the dialogue highlights the evolving dynamics of the sport, the talent pool, and the comparative strengths of players who define modern hockey.