Washington Capitals: Is Alex Ovechkin’s hot start sustainable?

What’s Working

It’s not all about a hot Ovechkin, as tempting as it might be to say that and move on. No one would argue with you if you said that. But Ovechkin has been hot before and so has Kuznetsov. This is something different.

For starters, this all-new line is playing a completely different style of hockey from last season’s Washington Capitals top line of Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, and T.J. Oshie. Kuznetsov and Vrana are both blazing fast. Most importantly, they know how to use it. Kuznetsov’s speed, in particular, is deceptive. He can and does change speed and direction on a dime, and that demands attention from the opposing defenders.

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Vrana is always moving and slashing across and behind the net, popping up on either side ready to step out into open space. That movement draws the two defenders down low and forces them to chase. This forces two defenders to watch Vrana and handoff the coverage while trying not to get caught out of position.

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Meanwhile, Kuznetsov is sweeping from circle to circle in the center of the ice, ready to pounce on any defensive mistake. Much like Vrana down low, Kuznetsov crosses across and through multiple defenders zones, with the added dimension of having the puck on his stick a lot.

Backstrom is patient, willing to sit back and wait for the opening or the mistake. Kuznetsov, however, is forcing the mistakes. Backstrom lulls you to sleep. Kuznetsov dares you and forces you to chase.

Two players moving through the middle in ways that demand the attention of three or four defenders is going to create huge problems for any defense. Mistakes happen when defenders have to hand off players to other defenders. Something Capitals fans should recognize from last springs series with the Toronto Maple Leafs among others.

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All of this movement going on is leaving Ovechkin with more time and space to work with than he’s seen in years. One constant throughout Ovi’s career – if you give him time and space, he scores a lot.

Both Kuznetsov and Vrana are excellent passers who create space, and they’re getting the puck to the lines primary finisher. At his core, what makes Ovechkin the Great 8, is he is the best finisher of his generation. Maybe of any generation. He’s a better passer and defender than he’s ever been before, but scoring goals is still his bread and butter.

His game is simplified greatly when his linemates can pull the normal double coverage away from him. He’s finding the open ice and burying his chances with the extra time his linemates are buying him.