Russian Machine Never Breaks
Ovechkin decided this year he was going to finally play, and they went right up. He’s a super, superstar when he wants to play.
An idiot. The NHL scout quoted in this Custance piece apparently knows nothing of changes in linemates, systems, tactics, deployment, or Ovi’s positioning on the power play. To him, everything must boil down to “compete level” or “heart” or some other nebulous bullshit that illuminates absolutely nothing about hockey.
Alex Ovechkin is so hot that he’s scoring on his backhand. That’s been a problem because of his wicked curve. Did Capitals head coach Adam Oates, a notorious tinkerer of players’ sticks, ask Ovechkin to change his? “No,” was the answer.
Alex Ovechkin for MVP. Signs for tonight’s big game on RMNB— because he needs your help.

Alex Ovechkin for MVP. Signs for tonight’s big game on RMNB— because he needs your help.

capskat26:

The 5th piece for my senior Illustration project (and the final new illustration before my show next weekend).
So for the last 4 years, since I started college, I’d always done an “Unleash the Fury” sign for Caps games, featuring Ovi as “the Russian Machine” since, y’know… “Russian Machine Never Break.” (This year, because of the lockout, I rushed the sign I was going to make, and in turn….. it looked like garbage and not like Ovi at all and will never see the light of Verizon Center.) For my senior project, I decided to take this idea and turn it into a serious, realistically drawn and rendered illustration.
The only major thing (other than the style) that I had to change compared to my signs was the hand/arm. I didn’t have the time to paint a whole mechanical hand, so I gave an impression of it with the metal of the hand partially showing. I also added the machine showing to his neck as well. Finally, the background of the Russian flag is completed by the red in Ovi’s jersey.
I’m so super proud of this illustration, and I can’t wait to hang it with the rest of my work in my senior show that opens next Saturday!
11”x 14”, Acrylic inks on Illustration board
(at some point I’ll have to do a comparison of all my Ovi signs to this. hahahaha)

capskat26:

The 5th piece for my senior Illustration project (and the final new illustration before my show next weekend).

So for the last 4 years, since I started college, I’d always done an “Unleash the Fury” sign for Caps games, featuring Ovi as “the Russian Machine” since, y’know… “Russian Machine Never Break.” (This year, because of the lockout, I rushed the sign I was going to make, and in turn….. it looked like garbage and not like Ovi at all and will never see the light of Verizon Center.) For my senior project, I decided to take this idea and turn it into a serious, realistically drawn and rendered illustration.

The only major thing (other than the style) that I had to change compared to my signs was the hand/arm. I didn’t have the time to paint a whole mechanical hand, so I gave an impression of it with the metal of the hand partially showing. I also added the machine showing to his neck as well. Finally, the background of the Russian flag is completed by the red in Ovi’s jersey.

I’m so super proud of this illustration, and I can’t wait to hang it with the rest of my work in my senior show that opens next Saturday!

11”x 14”, Acrylic inks on Illustration board

(at some point I’ll have to do a comparison of all my Ovi signs to this. hahahaha)

Here’s Sidney Crosby, trying on Alex Ovechkin’s missing-tooth look.
(Looks better on Ovi)

Here’s Sidney Crosby, trying on Alex Ovechkin’s missing-tooth look.

(Looks better on Ovi)

Alex Ovechkin’s shots per game and shooting percentage through 2013. (10-game segments)
We’re a lot more excited about the red line than the blue one.

Alex Ovechkin’s shots per game and shooting percentage through 2013. (10-game segments)

We’re a lot more excited about the red line than the blue one.

Bodies.
Alex Ovechkin, when asked what he saw during that one big shift last night.
The video that Mike showed on NBC was actually excellent analysis.
Jack Edwards on Milbury’s deranged, frothing rant about Alex Ovechkin
Alex Ovechkin has never had a larger share of the Caps’ shots or a smaller share of the Caps’ goals*. For more on Caps being washed up, read Negative Nancy Greenberg.
(* Standard small sample size warning)

Alex Ovechkin has never had a larger share of the Caps’ shots or a smaller share of the Caps’ goals*. For more on Caps being washed up, read Negative Nancy Greenberg.

(* Standard small sample size warning)

Has Ovechkin become too predictable? Probably. Is his contract high for the on-ice production he is providing? Absolutely. Is he washed up? Not even close.