Alex Ovechkin appears to be shooting less (3.4 per game; career average is 5.26) but it might be because fewer pucks are making it to the net:
Game - SOG - Miss - Blkd - Goals
10/8 vs. CAR - 2 - 4 - 2 - 0
10/10 vs. TB - 3 - 3 - 4 - 0
10/13 at PIT - 3 - 1 - 0 - 1
10/15 vs. OTT - 7 - 0 - 3 - 0
10/18 vs. FLA - 2 - 1 - 1 - 0
10/20 at PHI - 3 - 3 - 1 - 2
10/22 vs. DET - 1 - 2 - 1 - 0
10/27 at EDM - 7 - 1 - 4 - 0
10/29 at VAN - 5 - 0 - 1 - 2
11/1 vs. ANA - 4 - 2 - 3 - 0
11/4 at CAR - 3 - 5 - 2 - 0
11/5 at NYI - 3 - 3 - 3 - 1
11/8 vs. DAL - 3 - 1 - 1 - 0
11/11 at NJ - 2 - 2 - 0 - 1
11/12 vs. NJ - 2 - 8 - 1 - 0
11/15 at NSH - 4 - 3 - 1 - 0
Total - 54 - 39 - 28 - 7
Percent of total shots that hit net: 44.6 percent
Shooting percentage: 13 percent
SCORING DROP-OFF
Since putting up 65 goals in 2007-08, Alex Ovechkin’s production has declined. Here’s a look at his scoring totals, including what he’s on pace for this season:
Year - Goals - Goals/Gm
2005-06 - 52 - 0.64
2006-07 - 46 - 0.56
2007-08 - 65 - 0.79
2008-09 - 56 - 0.71
2009-10 - 50 - 0.69
2010-11 - 32 - 0.41
2011-12 - 35 - *0.47*
* Projection based on first 16 games
OVECHKIN’S GOALS
Alex Ovechkin has seven goals in 15 games, a hotter pace than last year but nothing close to previous seasons. And how he’s scoring them isn’t the same, either
Goal No. 1: Oct. 13 at Penguins
Standing still between the circles, Ovechkin redirects Mike Green’s slap shot into the top of the net behind Brent Johnson. Play continues, and it takes review to determine it went in.
Goal No. 2: Oct. 20 at Flyers
Ovechkin slides away from defenseman Andrej Meszaros on the weak side of the crease. Nicklas Backstrom’s stuff attempt misses goalie Ilya Bryzgalov and hits Ovechkin, who hits a wide-open net.
Goal No. 3: Oct. 20 at Flyers (power play)
Ovechkin slides out to the high slot, finding space near Max Talbot. Nicklas Backstrom finds him there with a quick pass, and it appears Ovechkin’s shot hits Talbot’s stick and flutters in.
Goal No. 4: Oct. 29 at Canucks
Ovechkin is streaking toward the net as Nicklas Backstrom gets the puck there. Ovechkin keeps crashing toward Roberto Luongo and the puck takes an odd bounce up over the goalie and in.
Goal No. 5: Oct. 29 at Canucks (power play)
With Troy Brouwer keeping one penalty-killer busy, Ovechkin finds space in the right circle. Nicklas Backstrom sees the opening and fires the pass. Ovechkin one-times it past Roberto Luongo.
Goal No. 6: Nov. 5 at Islanders
Ovechkin starts play with work along boards, getting it to Nicklas Backstrom. Since it’s a four-on-four, ice is easy to come by. Ovechkin finds a spot well above the circles, gets the pass and beats Rick DiPietro.
Goal No. 7: Nov. 11 at Devils
Dennis Wideman’s point shot takes a funny deflection on its way to the net, and it reaches Ovechkin on the left side of the crease. From there, Ovechkin taps it in past Martin Brodeur.
• Stephen Whyno can be reached at swhyno@washingtontimes.com.
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