So the Caps will host the Penguins on Sunday in what might be the most anticipated NHL game (indoors, of course) of the entire season. The Stanley Cup rematch was big, and Pittsburgh's first post-lockout trek to the Northwest was a big deal, but it is hard to argue against the subplots and intrigue that this game will offer.
Fans in this area often like to point out there is too much focus on one Sidney Crosby, and in this instance, those people would be right. Here is the subject line of the email from NBC to media members trying to promote the game: "CROSBY VS. OVECHKIN AS CAPITALS HOST PENGUINS IN SUNDAY NHL GAME OF THE WEEK ON NBC."
Look, everyone knows these two guys are the franchise for the league, but their "rivalry" is not the story this weekend. Yes, it will be Crosby's return to network television after he has been out with an ankle injury, but that is only one of the many juicy plot lines, and it is not really the biggest one.
The last time these two teams met, the Penguins were playing their second game without Crosby. Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin put on an epic show of skill with a made for YouTube showdown to boot. Since that game, the two precocious Russians have been the two best offensive players in the league by a wide margin. They could be two of the three finalists for league MVP honors, and one of them will become, barring injury, the first Russian to win the Art Ross Trophy.
Wait, there's more? How about they went 1-2 in the same draft, were roommates at the last Olympics (and should anchor the 2010 Russian entry) and their feelings for each other are, ahem, lukewarm at best. This will be the first time they face each other in the national spotlight with the race for the scoring title on. One team is fighting for top spot in the conference and the other is fighting for a spot in the postseason.
Ovechkin-Malkin has all of the intrigue the NHL wishes Ovechkin v. Crosby could have. But Malkin's English is somewhere between barely existent and suspect, and the league has a fine line to toe when it comes to promoting players from across the pond while not forgetting the hometown heroes of TV viewers on this continent.
So yes, Sid's back and the league is better off for it. And I am sure "Doc" Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, Pierre McGuire and the rest of the NBC gang will spend plenty of time talking about all of the immensely talented young players on display at the Phone Booth, and not just Nos. 8 and 87.
But at least for one day, the spotlight should shine on Ovechkin's "other rivalry" when the Penguins are in town. It might just be the best one in the league.
Photo by Getty Images
Comments (6)
Well, Malkin vs. Ovechkin just doesn't move the needle enough.
The league has hitched it's wagon to Crosby-- just look at the spotlight they put on him at the Winter Classic and the rating it got.
And, as you said, Malkin doesn't speak much English so from a pure marketing stance it's more difficult to showcase him.
Any team the league's reigning MVP and scoring champion is in a game, he's the headliner. Malkin's been unbelievably terrific over the past two months, but make no mistake; it's still a Crosby world and we're all just living in it.
Posted by hooks orpik | March 6, 2008 5:10 PM
I did see a blurb on NHL.com about Malkin-Gonchar vs. Ovechkin-Semin and the big russian showdown
Posted by Scott | March 6, 2008 7:11 PM
Great column. Loved every word of it.
The way Malkin's been playing it shouldn't be a Crosby world and that's what this column's about. As Corey proved there are a lot of great plots concerning Malkin vs. Ovechkin the league could and should market. A player of Malkin's quality is very marketable, the thing is if you WANT to do it, not if you can.
Posted by Scai | March 7, 2008 5:19 AM
I was shocked when the commercials started about crosby v Ovechkin. I'm not sure anyone really cares anymore because it just isn't much of an issue.
I feel bad for Malkin, actually.
Posted by 3vafans | March 7, 2008 9:55 AM
Good article. I am a little surprised to hear that AO and Malkin's relationship is lukewarm at best. Whenever commentators speak about it, they say they are good friends and mention that they were roommates at the last Olympics. However, it certainly makes some sense based on AO's clear attempt to seriously kabong Malkin during the last Caps-Pens game.
Corey, it might not be a bad idea for you to try to find out why it's only "lukewarm" particularly since in the past the AO-Crosby rivalry has been promoted to death and AO and Crosby appear to sincerely be friendly to each other. Along the lines of your opinion that the AO-Malkin battle should be the real headliner, an article divulging why AO and Malkin are not bosom buddies, particularly considering their similar backgrounds and paths to the NHL, would heat up the AO-Malkin battle further.
Posted by Monty | March 7, 2008 1:58 PM
this article made a good point. I'm a penguins fan and therefore a huge supporter of Sidney Crosby. I'll admit he's my favorite player. However, I do admit that Malkin is amazingly talented. Malkin is the reason that the Penguins kept their head above water while Sidney was out. Make no mistake, Sidney Crosby is the best player in the world. He has made that clear over and over again. Malkin may be an exceptional player and the storyline may be Ovechkin vs. Malkin. Regardless of points, Sidney Crosby is the best player on the Penguins and in the league not because of points but because of so much more. Lets not forget Sidney has been out for 6 and a half weeks.. wonder what the scoring race would have been like if Sidney never got hurt? Malkin is good and deserves ample respect, but Sidney Crosby is the face of the NHL with good reason.
Posted by Megan | March 8, 2008 11:18 AM