During his long career in the National Hockey League (NHL), Alexander Ovechkin has rarely gone through such a difficult phase.
In fact, the underdog has only scored five goals since the start of the season and hasn't scored in his last 13 games. He's headed for a 14-goal season, which would be his worst since entering the NHL in 2005-2006.
• Also read: Junior hockey: This American trio could do a lot of damage
• Also read: Disadvantaged QMJHL players: “This is completely ridiculous”
The number eight is obviously frustrated with his performance, especially since the goals in Washington aren't exactly rampant. The Capitals are the third-worst offense in the Bettman circuit and have averaged just 2.39 offenses since the start of the season.
However, Ovechkin remains confident that the tide will eventually turn in his favor.
“I have a good chance, but sometimes it's just because you're holding the stick a little too tight because you didn't score,” he told NHL.com reporter Tom Gulitti. But I generally think it will happen sooner rather than later and everything will fall into place.
However, he has made no secret of the fact that he prefers to be less productive on offense if it means his team performs well.
“The most important thing is to collect points and win games,” the star continued. “I would rather be able to make the playoffs than score 20 goals and be eliminated.”
In his career, Ovechkin flashed the red light 827 times and collected 675 assists for 1,502 points in 1,375 games. In addition to his five goals, the man who is 67 goals away from tying Wayne Gretzky's record for most goals in a career, was involved in his teammates' goals 12 times (17 points in 28 games).
As for the Capitals, they are one point behind the last team in the Eastern Association, the Tampa Bay Lightning (15-9-4).