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Alex Ovechkin Breaks the Silence on His Declining Play

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Tom Banks
December 20, 2023  (7:29 PM)
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Alex Ovechkin has been arguably the most consistent player in the NHL since his debut almost 20-years ago, but now, it appears as though age as well as wear and tear are finally catching up with him.

Ovechkin's play continues to decline as the years go on

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While no one expected the Great 8 to go for 50+ goals again during his age 38 season, but after notching 42 goals and 75 points again last season, many were expecting more than 5 goals through his first 28 games.

Unfortunately, with the lack of elite level talent around him, things just haven't gone right this year, and after plenty of criticism, Ovechkin has finally opened up on what's going on in Washington.

The Capitals legend opens up on his struggles in 2023-24

When asked about why his play is at the level it's currently at, this is what he had to say:

«I don't know,» Ovechkin told NHL.com on Wednesday. «Some luck. I have chances, I have pretty good chances, but sometimes it's just a period of maybe you hold the stick too tight because you didn't score or something. But I think overall, sooner or later it's going to happen, and everything is going to go in.»

«I think it's frustration for me, I think frustration for everybody,» he said. «You can see we don't score as many goals as we used to score, and I don't know if you're going to blame the system or whatever. We play hockey. We have to create chances. We have to create opportunities for yourself and for your teammates to set it up and have a good chance.»

On a team level however, Ovechkin knows that his job goes beyond simply scoring goals, as he wants to see playoff success once, or maybe twice before his legendary career comes to an end.

«The most important thing is we collect the points, and we win the games,» he said. «I'd rather be in a playoff spot than score 20 goals and you're out of contention.»

As Read on Hockey Feed - Alex Ovechkin sounds off on his scoring drought

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Alex Ovechkin Breaks the Silence on His Declining Play

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