Is 4 Nations a “Best on Best”?

[moropanov]

It cant be best on best if Ovechkin isn't playing versus Crosby

Thats always been forced rivalry.Crosbys always been much better as a player.. Ovechkin wouldnt make canadas roster based on hockey level dont think would have made Canadas roster even in 2014 when Babcock was coaching;D let alone nowadays atleast based on ability. He is scoring WWE typic forced goals in NHL nowadays empty netters etc but if being realistic same level guy would come to try outs with randon name he would be sended to ECHL right away slow beer league levelish skater clumsy hands in bad fit beer belly etc.. Playing in competition like 4 nations he would have been worst player around when its serious play not NBA typic hang around regular season game.

 

[Nucks2001]

Thats always been forced rivalry.Crosbys always been much better as a player.. Ovechkin wouldnt make canadas roster based on hockey level dont think would have made Canadas roster even in 2014 when Babcock was coaching;D let alone nowadays atleast based on ability. He is scoring WWE typic forced goals in NHL nowadays empty netters etc but if being realistic same level guy would come to try outs with randon name he would be sended to ECHL right away slow beer league levelish skater clumsy hands in bad fit beer belly etc.. Playing in competition like 4 nations he would have been worst player around when its serious play not NBA typic hang around regular season game.

I don’t think you understand how good prime Ovi was. When he had his game on, he was the most dominant goal-scorer we've seen in a long time.

He could score form anywhere. Off the rush, he was just too fast and strong, also some of the best hands for a guy that big too. You see McDavid and MacKinnon blow past defenders nowindays, Prime Ovi would go THROUGH defenders. His wrist shot was lethal from every square inch of the O-Zone and he had the best One-T on the PP for more than a decade. When he was dialed in, he could create plays and defend too.

That's the main difference between him and Crosby. Crosby gave that effort 100% of the time, always improved his game in the smallest of ways and was the more all-around player. When you compare Ovi at his best though, he was easily the best offensive force in hockey for multiple seasons and nights (Yes, even over Crosby).

 

[Peiskos]

It cant be best on best if Ovechkin isn't playing versus Crosby

Crosby's Canada crushed Ovechkin's Russia 7-3 at the best vs best Olympics in 2010. Crosby didn't get to play against Ovechkin at the 2014 Olympics but it wouldn't have mattered.. Crosby's team would have won.

Crosby also faced off against Ovechkin at the 2015 IIHF WC, while not a best on best Crosby's Canada once again crushed Ovechkin and Russia 6-1.

The Russians have largely been a tune up game for Canada at all levels of hockey, junior through mens level. Their participation in international hockey doesn't alter Canada's international hockey hegemony.