LestersLegends.com

5/13/09 

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals
Sidney Crosby – 2 Goals, Assist
Evgeni Malkin – 2 Assists
Miroslav Satan – 2 Assists
Craig Adams – Goal
Bill Guerin – Goal
Kris Letang – Goal
Jordan Staal – Goal
Alexander Ovechkin – Goal
Brooks Laich – Goal
Marc-Andre Fleury - W, 19 of 21 Saves

3-Point Club
Alexander Ovechkin – 2 Goals, 2 Assists
Nicklas Backstrom  – 2 Goals, 1 Assists
Ryan Getzlaf – 2 Goals, 1 Assists
Martin St. Louis – 1 Goal, 2 Assists
Martin Havlat  – 1 Goal, 2 Assists
Brooks Laich - 3 Assists

Double Lamp Lighters (Two Goals)
Alexander Ovechkin
Nicklas Backstrom
Tim Connolly
Ryan Getzlaf
Dustin Penner

3-Point Club
Ilya Kovalchuk  – 3 Goals, 1 Assist
Alexander Ovechkin – 3 Goals
Teemu Selanne – 2 Goals, 1 Assist
Claude Giroux – 1 Goal, 2 Assists
Brian Gionta - 1 Goal, 2 Assists
Eric Staal – 1 Goal, 2 Assists
Andrew Ebbett – 1 Goal, 2 Assists

Double Lamp Lighters (Two Goals)
Alexander Ovechkin (Hat Trick)
Ilya Kovalchuk  (Hat Trick)
David Clarkson
Daniel Cleary
Marian Hossa
Teemu Selanne

Since exploding on the scene in 2005 Alexander Ovechkin has scored more goals than anyone in the NHL.  In his first 295 NHL games he has 377 points (199 goals, 178 assists).  Sidney Crosby has 363 points (119 goals, 244 assists) in his first 265 games. Ovechkin is projected to have 416 points (220 goals, 196 assists) and Crosby 401 points (130 goals, 271 assist) when they wrap up their fourth seasons.  As Ovechkin approaches his 200th goal, it made me wonder how these two stars stacked up against the Great One, Wayne Gretzky.

In his first four seasons Gretzky had 709 points (269 goals, 440 assists).  If you combine Crosby and Ovechkin’s projected numbers you get 817 points (351 goals, 467 assists).  He had nearly as many points and assists as two of today’s biggest stars combined, and that wasn’t even his best stretch.    The next four years were actually better for Gretzky.  He had 811 points (274 goals, 537 assists).

If you add up Ovechkin, Crosby, and Evgeni Malkin‘s points to date you get 1010 points in 773 games.  Gretzky had 1122 points after 473 games.  If you’re keeping score at home, that’s 1.31 points a game for the Big 3 and 2.37 for the Great One.  Staggering.

What about Mario Lemiuex you say?  In his first 368 games he had 715 points.  While his 1.94 points per game is impressive, it’s still quite a difference.  To put it into perspective in 80 games Gretzky would score 34 more points than Lemieux (and 85 more than Alex, Sid, and Evgeni).

How about Gordie Howe?  He was amazing too, but realize he only topped 100 points three times in his career.  He did manage to play 80 games for the Hartford Whalers at the tender age of 51 racking up 41 points (15 goals, 26 assists). 

So when you are watching today’s stars or even watching Gretzky coaching Phoenix, take a moment and remember just how special The Great One really was.

It’s time to hand out the NHL Awards.

Hart Trophy (MVP) – Alexander Ovechkin
Ovechkin led Washington to a 3 seed with his record-setting season.  He scored the most goals by a Left Wing ever.  His 65 goals and 112 points were both tops in the league.

Art Ross Trophy (Points Leader) – Alexander Ovechkin
This is the first of the awards that aren’t up for debate.  Ovechkin’s 112 goals topped the league.  Next on the list was Evgeni Malkin with 106.

Maurice Richard Trophy (Goals Leader) – Alexander Ovechkin
Another Ovechkin award that isn’t up for debate.  Ovechkin’s 65 goals topped everybody.  Also in the 50 goal group were Ilya Kovalchuk and Jarome Iginla.

Jack Adams Award (Coach of the Year) – Guy Carbonneau
After missing the playoffs last year with 90 points, Montreal improved by 14 points, which earned them the top seed in the East.  Detroit won the Presidents’ Trophy with the league’s best record, but they are always good. 

Calder Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the Year) – Patrick Kane
The 2007 #1 pick did not disappoint in his first season.  He led all rookies with 72 points.  He was third in goals and second in assists among rookies.  Nicklas Backstrom was a close second.

Norris Trophy (Top Defenseman) – Nicklas Lindstrom
Lindstrom led all defensemen with 70 points, 60 assists, and a +40 +/- rating.  He had the second best +/- rating in the league behind teammate Pavel Datsyuk (+41).

Vezina Trophy (Top Goalie) – Evgeni Nabokov
Evgeni won an impressive 46 games for San Jose this year.  He finished tied for third with a 2.14 Goals Against Average (GAA).  He saved 91% of the shots on net.  He also tied for third with 6 shutouts.

William H. Jennings Trophy (Lowest GAA) – Chris Osgood
The last award is not up for debate either.  Chris Osgood led all goalies with at least 25 games played with a 2.09 GAA.  Jean-Sebastien Giguere was second at 2.12.

A look back at the week that was in the sports world.

Plaxico Burress said the Giants may have a better receiving corps than the Patriots.  He also said they’d beat the Patriots.  At least he’s confident.  Atlanta hired Mike Mularkey to be their new Offensive Coordinator.  San Diego will face New Orleans in London next year.  On paper it sounds better than the Giants-Dolphins game we bored London crowds with.  Rex Ryan will remain the Ravens’ Defensive Coordinator.  “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?”  I’m in Cleveland silly.  I just signed a two-year extension!  Greg Ellis will replace Lance Briggs in the Pro Bowl.  Terrell Owens owes the Eagles some money.  Cincinnati signed Carson Palmer’s brother Jordan to a backup QB role.  Willis McGahee will replace LT in the Pro Bowl.  St. Louis signed Al Saunders to be their Offensive Coordinator.  Defensive MVP Bob Sanders had shoulder surgery.  There stil no replacement in place for Joe Gibbs.

Kevin Garnett beat the Timberwolves in his first meeting against his ex-team.  The Big Three scored 7, but the C’s still beat the Heat.  Kobe dropped 40 on Dallas in defeat.  Memphis bought out Damon Stoudamire’s contract.  Miami snapped their 15 game losing streak by beating Indiana.  Orlando beat the Celtics.  LeBron scored 41 as the Cavs beat the Lakers.  Caron Butler’s 40 wasn’t good enough vs. Milwaukee.  Big Al Jefferson had 40 points and 19 boards as Minnesota beat New Jersey.  He had 26 points and 20 boards in a win over Chicago.  Andris Biedrins grabbed 26 rebounds in a win over the Knicks.  Chris Webber is returning to Golden State.  Dallas will be without Devin Harris for a few weeks.  He bruised a bone on his ankle.  Chris Paul stuffed the stat sheets with 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 17 assists.  Tony Parker is being forced to shut it down for a while a bone spur heals.  I can just see Eva waiting on him.  Antawn Jamison had 24 points, 20 rebounds in an overtime win over Chris Bosh (37 points) and Toronto.  Yao Ming had 36 points and 19 rebounds in a win over Golden State.  T-Mac missed it.  Shocking.  Cleveland will be without Anderson Varejao for a few weeks because of a sprained ankle.  Earl Boykins signed a deal with Charlotte.  Boston beat Dallas without KG.  LeBron missed a game with a sprained ankle.

The East beat the West in the NHL All-Star game 8-7.  Eric Staal took home MVP honors.  Rick Nash netted an All-Star Game Hat Trick.  Toronto will be without centers Alex Steen and Darryl Boyce because of separated shoulders.  Pittsburgh picked up Kris Beech off waivers.  Anaheim’s lineup will be bolstered by the return of Teemu Selanne.  Vancouver D Willie Mitchell is out for a while after breaking a vertebra in his back.  San Jose added Jody Shelley from Columbus for a draft pick.  The Los Angeles Kings signed W Raitis Ivanans to a two-year deal.  This week’s shutouts:  Montreal’s Cristobal Huet vs. Washington, San Jose’s Evgeni Nabokov vs. Edmonton.  Buffalo’s Ryan Miller vs. Florida.  New York Rangers’ Stephen Valiquette vs. Philly.  Alexander Ovechkin had four goals in a 5-4 win over Montreal.  I guess the NHL can go on without Sid the Kid as long as Alexander the Great is lighting it up.

The Twins made news this week by trading Johan Santana to the Mets.  They turned down better offers earlier and didn’t even get top prospects.  They also signed Justin Morneau (6 years, $80 million) and Michael Cuddyer (3 years,$24 million).  Had they signed them last year, they would have saved $20-$30 million on these two.  Not the best week for Twins fans.  Of course this depends on a contract agreement with the Mets.  The Mets want to guarantee five years while Johan wants six.  Chad Gaudin signed a one-year deal with Oakland for $1.77 million.  Carlos Pena signed an extension with Tampa Bay worth $24 million.  Washington’s Paul Lo Duca hurt his knee working out.  At least he knows of some “good meds” to help him heal quickly.  He should be out a month or so following his surgery.  Robinson Cano signed a six-year $56 million deal with the Yankees.  Mike Lieberthal has decided to hang up his catcher’s mitt.  Roger Clemens released a wordy response to the steroid allegations.  I’m not sure I believe him, but at least he’s blazing back.  Chicago sent David Aardsma to Boston Willy Mota and Miguel Socolovic.  Philadelphia signed Pedro Feliz to a two-year deal.  Johnny Estrada joined the Nationals.  Seattle signed Brad Wilkerson.  Morgan Ensberg signed with the Yankees.  Seattle and Baltimore are still discussing an Erik Bedard trade.

Missouri’s leading scorer Stefhon Hannah broke his jaw.  He’ll miss a month or more.  He was hurt in a bar fight.  Four of his teammates got supsended for curfew vioations.  Eastern Michigan kicked C James Matthews off the team.  New Mexico State is making Jahmar Young miss a game for leaving the arena early.  UConn suspended guards Jerome Dyson and Doug Wiggins indefinitely for violating team rules.  They knocked off #8 Indiana without them, 68-63.  Ugly week for player behavior.  Purdue bumped #11 Wisconsin 60-56.  Mississippi State thumped #15 Old Miss.  Rutgers knocked off #17 Pitt 77-64.  Notre Dame beat #18 Villanova 90-80.  Richmond beat #19 Dayton 80-63.  Florida beat #13 Vandebilt 86-64.  Miami beat #25 Clemson 75-72.  San Diego beat #20 St. Mary’s 63-55.  Kansas State knocked off #2 Kansas 84-75.  Michael Beasley had 25 for K-State.  Joey Dorsey had 22 rebounds for #1 Memphis in their win over Houston.  #23 Texas A&M beat #10 Texas 80-63.  #22 Ole Miss beat #18 Vanderbilt 74-58. Arkansas thrashed #25 Mississippi State 78-58.  Tubby Smith won his 400th game.  He’s done a fine job with the Golden Gophers.  Cal beat #9 Washington State 69-64.  #13 Wisconsin beat #11 Indiana 62-49. 

Tennessee RB Arian Foster had knee surgery.  Penn State kicked DT Chris Baker, LB Navorro Bowman, and CB Knowledge Timmons for fighting last year.  I guess Timmons didn’t use his namesake.  Wake Forest kicked RB Luke Caparelli to the curb.  Texas A & M Yemi Babalola and Brandon Joiner are facing robbery charges.  Jared Foster, a recruit at Mississippi, was told no thanks after he got caught selling steroids.

Tiger Woods cruised to yet another victory at the Buick Invitational.  He’s pretty good.

That concludes the Tidbits. As always, feel free to add any stories you liked this week in sports or discuss any of the stories I mentioned.

Photos courtesy of Icon SMI