Ovechkin went for the tenth fifty dollars
And what’s an NHL season without Alexandra Ovechkina? His “Washington” lost to “Buffalo” (3:4 in overtime) and the “Capitals” deployed a strong reserve formation. For example, an 18-year-old striker from Khabarovsk played there Alexander Suzdalevplayed for the Swedish national team. There was a Belarusian Alexei Protas, who scored an assist. But there were no Russians.
But Ovechkin gave a lengthy interview to local reporters, talking about his goals for the new season. After all, he only had 21 goals left to catch Gordie Howe (801) and take second place in goals in NHL history. Only Wayne Gretzky (894) will be ahead.
“I’m at the age where personal goals are good. But we understand that every year you are approaching the end of your career,” the 37-year-old striker said. “So I just want to win. I want to play the playoffs and fight for the Stanley Cup.”
At the same time, Washington, who became champions in 2018, invariably soared in the next playoffs in the first round. And now Niklas Backstrom Indefinitely following left hip surgery. Yes, and Tom Wilson tore the cruciate ligament in his left knee, left without hockey until at least December.
“The most important thing is that everyone has to be healthy and we have to make the playoffs,” Ovechkin said. – The first 20 games are very important, so you have to score points. And if during the season you have ups and downs, then you will still have points. You have to play not six, but every eight months – until June itself.
Many no longer believe that Ovi will score 50 goals in a season again. Although if that happens, Alexander the Great will break another NHL record. So far he has nine seasons with fifty dollars – like Gretzky and Mike Bossy.
“I wouldn’t bet against him,” Capitals general manager Brian McLellan said. – I think he has a strong will, and he knows what he wants to do and what he has to accomplish. Usually when he’s in that mood, he gets what he wants.”
After summering in Russia and working with his personal trainer Pavel Burlachenko for many years, Ovechkin arrived at training camp in top condition.
“He looks great,” said coach Peter Laviolette. – And if you compare it with 2020, when I came to Washington, then there is no difference. Now it has passed the tests remarkably well. It is seen that Ovechkin approached the camp in full form. Yes, he is on a roll. But that’s Ovi’s credit – that’s how he trains, that’s how he works.
Kaprizov was taken off the ice so as not to risk
“Minnesota” beat “Colorado” (3:2), and what a shame they didn’t give away the Stanley Cup for that. And it would be great if, like in boxing, he beat the champion and took his belt. But no. It’s clear that Valery Nichushkin he didn’t play for the Avalanche – he said in an exclusive interview with that he was just recovering from an injury.
And in the “Wild” shone again Kirill Kaprizov. In the 26th minute he opened the scoring, and late in the second period he also provided an assist when Minnesota converted the majority.
True, at the end of the third period, Kaprizov left the ice with an obvious injury. He was hit with a puck in the leg – that’s how his teammate scored Frederic Gaudreau. And, limping, Cyril headed for the locker room.
After the game, Minnesota head coach Dean Evason spoke to reporters and said everything was fine with Kaprizov. It was removed at the end of the match as a precaution, given that this is only the first test match where you don’t need to risk your health.
By the way, The Athletic again raised the subject of Kaprizov’s return to America this summer, and when there were rumors that Kirill The Thrill was involved in the story of the mass purchase and issuing military tickets to hockey players in Ufa.
“I can imagine the stress Kirill went through,” Evason said. “Some things we just can’t believe. We must be very attentive and benevolent towards him.
Kaprizov asked local journalists not to discuss this topic with the soldier. But they told each other how Kirill was sitting in Turkey, waiting two weeks for a work visa – after being twice denied boarding a plane to the United States in Dubai.
Mikheev also broke down – is it serious?
Calgary beat Vancouver (4:0), then in overtime (3:2). As happens in pre-season, the teams split into two teams and played two games at a time.
The main part of the Canucks has just lost 2:3. The third star of the game has been recognized Vasily Podkolzin, who scored Vancouver’s first goal. He started the match in three with Bo Horvath and Conor Garland. But Ilya Mikheev and Andrei Kuzmenko came out in a single link with the centre-forward Elias Petterssonand Kuzya immediately scored an assist.
In the second period, Mikheev landed under a PTO, fell on his arm and went off the ice. Head coach Bruce Boudreau said nothing about his player’s condition, saying he has yet to be checked. Trust that everything will be fine. After all, due to a hand injury, Mikheev was absent from Toronto for a long time. And a move this summer to Vancouver has made him one of those players who should soar and score big. I wouldn’t want to lose such a hockey player already in the pre-season.
Kuzmenko is also making a very good impression on the Canadians. You can see how much they trust him – in control games they immediately gave 7:42 minutes on the ice in the majority, they put him in the first link.
The local press is sure this guy should definitely shoot. He shot in the KHL last season, and is now conquering the NHL, and everyone immediately sees his potential to play in the Canucks’ front two lines.
Kuzmenko’s skill shows when he owns the puck, gets creative, circles defensemen one on one. Yeah, while Andrei isn’t very good at reading the game, he still has to get used to the Canucks. But everything will come with time. And this link with Mikheev and Pettersson was played out from the first day of the camp.
Kuzmenko is aiming for the goal, he likes to score more than to give – that’s why he has two excellent splitters on the link. The small pitches in the NHL should give him an advantage as Andriy can come out of corners well and come out with a net attack.
In general, his skills attracted everyone’s attention, and Kuzmenko’s prospects are simply excellent. Although the pre-season, of course, too early to draw conclusions.
Source : MatchTV
I am Sandra Jackson, a journalist and content creator with extensive experience in the news industry. I have been working in the news media for over five years. During this time, I have worked as an author and editor at various outlets producing high-quality content that attracts readers from different demographics.
