Ovechkin's Confidence Remains Despite Goal Drought
Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals forward, is facing the longest goal-scoring drought of his career. Despite this, Ovechkin remains confident that he will break through and start scoring again soon.
Struggling to Find the Back of the Net
Alex Ovechkin has gone 13 games without scoring a goal, the longest drought of his 19-season NHL career. With only five goals in 28 games this season, Ovechkin is far behind his scoring pace from last season, where he scored 42 goals. Despite this, Ovechkin remains optimistic, stating that he has been getting good chances and believes that eventually, his luck will turn around.
Ovechkin's goalless streak has kept him 67 goals behind Wayne Gretzky's all-time record of 894 goals. While the Capitals have managed to find success with strong team defense and goaltending, their low scoring rate has hindered Ovechkin's pursuit of the record. Currently, the Capitals rank 30th in the league in goals per game, averaging just 2.39.
Frustration Mounts, But Team Success Remains the Priority
Ovechkin admits that the goal drought has been frustrating for him and the team. The Capitals' reduced goal-scoring ability has affected their overall performance. However, Ovechkin emphasizes that winning games and collecting points is more important to him than personal accolades. He is determined to contribute in other ways if scoring goals continues to elude him.
Despite his scoring struggles, Ovechkin has still been impactful for the Capitals. He ranks third on the team in points and has played a significant role in the team's success. Capitals defenseman John Carlson praises Ovechkin's ability to remain focused and contribute even when goals aren't coming easily.
Analyzing Ovechkin's Performance and Shooting Percentage
Ovechkin's goal-scoring struggles this season can be partly attributed to a decrease in his shooting percentage. With only five goals on 104 shots, he has a shooting percentage of 4.8%, a significant drop from last season's 14.3%. Among players with at least 100 shots on goal, only one other player has a lower shooting percentage.
The Capitals' struggling power play has also impacted Ovechkin's scoring output. Currently ranked last in the NHL, the Capitals' power play success rate stands at only 9.8%. Ovechkin, known for his deadly one-timer from the left circle, has yet to score a power-play goal using his signature move this season. Both Ovechkin and the team recognize the need to improve the power play to boost their goal-scoring capabilities.
