As we've discussed in this space before, Alex Ovechkin has been unfairly maligned as a playoff performer throughout his career. But it's not a knock on him to say that his performance in this Washington Capitals' Stanley Cup run -- wait, did I just write that? -- has been above and beyond what he's offered in previous postseasons.
That goes from the timeliness of his scoring, factoring into three game-winners in the series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, and two back-breakers against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the conference final, to the buy-in on defensive commitment that's permeated the entire lineup.