There were fewer ES goals that season because so much time was spent on the PP for both teams
Rookie Ovechkin or Prime Matthews
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PatriceBergeronFan
Registered User
ES scoring per minute has also been higher in recent years, and there’s 3 on 3 and teams are pulling the goalie more. Matthews also had a terrible on-ice save percentage so gave up a lot more goals than expected. Though his on-ice save percentage being poor is a bit of a trend
True, but even when you factor that in, the Leafs were giving up more goals per 60 with Matthews on the ice at ES than the Caps were with Ovechkin.
ES Minutes
Matthews: 1274
Ovechkin: 1141
81 / 1274 = .0635
70 / 1141 = .061
To be fair, Matthews had 10 EN goals against and 4 3v3 goals against. I don't know what wonky situations apply for Ovie because natural stat trick doesn't do the data for '05-06 but clearly there was less EN and no 3v3.
Whatever the case, this idea that Matthews was getting a significantly better defensive result is not showing up in the Goals against stats despite Ovechkin being surrounded by very bad lottery team players.
Ovechkin tilted the ice so much he didn’t really need to play defense. Matthews is inconsistent with his defensive play but when he’s on he’s a truly great defensive player for someone with his offense, or just for any forward in general really.
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If you seriously think 2006 Ovechkin was better than 2022 Matthews you need to reevaluate your hockey opinions. One of the worst poll results I’ve seen here.
Obvious Fabertism
Registered User
Rookie Ovechkin was the most entertaining hockey player since Wayne, and maybe more so. Just a complete bull on the ice, pure strength and energy unleashed in a way that was extremely refreshing.
“Better” could mean a lot of things, but in a sport that’s ultimately about entertainment, I don’t think much of anything the last two decades comes close to rookie Ovechkin in terms of impact.
“Better” could mean a lot of things, but in a sport that’s ultimately about entertainment, I don’t think much of anything the last two decades comes close to rookie Ovechkin in terms of impact.
Gretzky wasn’t really all that entertaining, atleast not compared to dozens of players who came before and after like Orr, Lemieux, Bure, Forsberg, Jagr, Lindros, etc. but I can agree a young Ovechkin could be #1 all-time in terms of entertainment value
HTFN
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you say it like that's bad but it's one of the most desirable things you could ask for in a forward. Ovechkin "not playing defense" means he's on offense, which is just categorically better than being a good defensive presence by default.
Matthews is clearly the better player to this point of their careers.
Better goal scorer, selke nominee, generally the leading shot blocker as a forward.
He’s ahead of ovy by 27. But there is basically zero chance he has a better back half than ovy.
Too injury prone
Better goal scorer, selke nominee, generally the leading shot blocker as a forward.
He’s ahead of ovy by 27. But there is basically zero chance he has a better back half than ovy.
Too injury prone
GlitchMarner
There was a Glitch and my username was switched
Ummm... what?
You can argue peak Matthews is better than rookie Ovechkin, but by no means is Matthews through age 27 better than Ovechkin up to age 27.
Ovechkin won the Ted Lindsay three years in a row and had three Hart trophies by age 27.
Matthews has more career goals.
Plays C
Selke nominee.
All of his metrics are better.
Ovy played as the young star in a league with way less talent then now.
Crosby was injured for 2 years.
No comparison to Drai/mack/kuch/mcdavid
