Alex Ovechkin has answered the challenge the Washington Capitals brass set down last offseason.
The team wanted Ovechkin to bounce back from a disappointing 2016-17, and the 32-year-old Russian superstar has done that — and more. He’s in better shape, he’s upped his scoring and he’s remained the face of the franchise while racking up more milestones.
With Ovechkin playing like he’s still in his prime, the Capitals lead the Metropolitan Division by three points with only a handful of games remaining.
But as good as he’s been, Ovechkin isn’t a lock — or even the favorite, really — to reel in his fourth Hart Trophy, the NHL’s most valuable player award.