Washington Capitals coach Spencer Carbery jokes about the few faceoff plays designed specifically for Alex Ovechkin.
From the right circle, it`s called `Shooter Back,` and from the left, `Board Side O` (for `board side Ovechkin`). These plays are incredibly effective, so much so that every NHL team has their own version – though without an Ovechkin to finish them.
Ovechkin`s legacy is built on scoring goals, chasing Wayne Gretzky`s record of 894. These plays are crucial to that legacy. The left faceoff circle is now famously known as `Ovi`s Office.`
Ovechkin`s name is synonymous with faceoff goals due to these play designs and his ability to shoot accurately even with a wobbling puck. The Capitals consistently provide him with teammates who help maintain continuity and adapt as he approaches the record. Coach Carbery explains, “The goal is simply to get the puck to his stick and let him get a clean shot from anywhere near the top of the circles.”
Ovechkin`s first NHL goal was on October 5, 2005, before rookie standout Macklin Celebrini was even born. While Ovechkin can score from anywhere, the faceoff circle is his prime hunting ground – 210 goals since 2007-08, according to MoneyPuck data.
NHL coaches and players agree that Ovechkin`s pursuit of Gretzky`s record highlights his consistency, and the Capitals` commitment to putting him in a position to succeed.
One NHL assistant coach notes the importance of left-handed centers for Ovechkin`s faceoff circle success. “He`s almost always had a left-handed centerman. Now it`s Dylan Strome, before it was Evgeny Kuznetsov and Nicklas Backstrom. It works perfectly because he`s a right-handed shot, and they pull the puck to his forehand. A right-handed center would make these plays much harder to execute.”
Despite nearly two decades in the NHL, through changing eras of hockey, no one has consistently stopped Ovechkin from scoring from his office. Even though everyone knows where he`ll be, the complexity of defensive decisions and moving parts allows Ovechkin and the Capitals to find an advantage.
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas, a former teammate, says, “He`s likely to become the best goal scorer ever, making him incredibly hard to defend. It`s about anticipating and minimizing his space, but he always finds it and scores.”
Gudas recalls his first game against Washington: “He scored four goals, and you just wonder, `How did that happen?`”
What Makes `Board Side O` So Unstoppable?
An assistant coach uses video clips to explain. It starts with a left-handed center, Strome, winning the faceoff. Ovechkin is within inches of the puck immediately.
The coach highlights Ovechkin`s speed off the mark, often moving before his opponent, creating separation perfected over 20 years.
Beyond speed, the puck is often wobbling and hard to control. Yet, Ovechkin shoots accurately in under half a second.
“For 99% of the league, a fumbled puck means no shot, no chance,” the assistant coach says. “He finds a way to get shots through regardless. It’s an elite skill, unmatched in the league.”
The assistant shows more `Board Side O` clips, then `Shooter Back` on the other side. With the faceoff on the right, Ovechkin is inside, a left-handed center pulls the puck, and he instantly shoots another wobbly puck past the goalie.
Steven Stamkos, tied for 22nd all-time with 577 goals, notes the many factors needed to score from the faceoff circle. A shooter needs playmakers, space, and the right position for east-west passes that are tough for goalies.
He adds pass speed dictates shot aim, but the goal is a shot so fast the goalie can`t react.
“The faceoff dot between hashmarks is a quiet zone in the defensive zone,” Stamkos says. “For him and me, it’s a successful spot we keep returning to.”
Ovechkin`s shot quality prompts the assistant coach to compare him to a baseball player. Many NHLers practice one-timers, passing if the puck is off by inches. Ovechkin shoots anyway.
“Anyone can hit a fastball down the middle,” the assistant says. “But Ovechkin hits pitches on the edge of the zone. He takes imperfect passes, gets pucks on net, through defenders, and into difficult spots for goalies.”
Ovechkin`s Danger: Redefining Scoring Chances
Ovechkin’s faceoff circle production sparks debate on what constitutes a high-danger scoring chance. With Ovechkin in the circle, it`s as dangerous as it gets.
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi says, “He doesn’t need much space. Be a second late, and he scores.”
Ovechkin finds circle space, drops to one knee, and blasts a one-timer, followed by his signature celebration.
Barry Trotz, who coached Ovechkin for four seasons, including the 2018 Stanley Cup win, explains the Caps` power play forces opponents to choose: focus on Ovechkin, leaving others open, or cover the rest and hope they can’t get it to Ovechkin.
Both choices are problematic. Playmaking centers find others, or score themselves. Puck-moving defensemen like Mike Green and John Carlson shoot hard. Wingers like T.J. Oshie, Alexander Semin, and Tom Wilson occupy spaces and score.
“They’ve been great for so long, and he’s a better passer than people think,” Trotz says of Ovechkin, 56th in NHL history with 724 assists. “If he can’t shoot through, he’s a good passer, underrated in that aspect.”
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh says penalty killers still struggle with Ovechkin.
“Guys like him and [Stamkos] like to shoot, establish their shot, but know blockers will be there, and someone else might be open,” McDonagh says. “They can find that passing lane and create another scoring chance.”
Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy calls Ovechkin’s shot both powerful and the hardest to track in the NHL, like a fast knuckleball.
Vasilevskiy says goalies train to stop flat, fast shots, but Ovechkin’s movement and power are unique. It changes direction “at least three or four times” before the net.
“Even flat, it’s hard to stop,” Vasilevskiy says. “But a knuckleball is nearly impossible. You just try to position well and hope to block it. No reaction time against that shot.”
Josi adds it’s also very hard for a defenseman to block.
“It`s heavy, but he also knows where it`s going,” Josi says. “He often anticipates your block and finds a way around it.”
Capitals Adaptations and Ovechkin`s Continued Success
Injuries to Backstrom and Oshie, and Kuznetsov`s trade, transitioned the Capitals. They still made the 2023-24 playoffs as a wild card, 18th in power play (20.6%) and 28th in goals per game (2.63%).
These changes affected Ovechkin’s production. He had 31 goals and 65 points, his lowest in seasons with over 70 games played.
This season, the Capitals lead the Eastern Conference, and the NHL in goals per game (3.58), with a ninth-ranked power play (23.7%).
“You can’t just replace Nicklas Backstrom,” Carbery says. “His skill is so unique, it’s unfair to expect Dylan Strome to be him. We had a trial-and-error process. Everyone suggested sticking to the old successful ways, but it doesn`t work like that.”
Strome says initially he always looked for Ovechkin, like he did with Patrick Kane in Chicago.
But Strome learned he now has freedom to carry the puck into the zone, then find Ovechkin in different spots.
“Playing with skilled players heightens your senses, you want to get them the puck,” Strome says. “You want to complement long-time great players. They`re always at their peak, pushing you to play well to stay on their line.”
Natural Stat Trick data shows Strome played over 480 5-on-5 minutes with Ovechkin this season, and over 142 power play minutes.
Wilson, a Capital for 12 seasons, says playing with Ovechkin is about understanding space. His role is creating space for Ovechkin or finding him in space through forechecking.
Wilson jokes that together they provided `a lot of body` for opponents. Ovechkin is 6-foot-2, 220-238 pounds, Wilson is 6-4, 220 pounds.
“He creates room,” Wilson says. “Everyone expects him to shoot. I’ve scored many goals from his passes. He finds me backdoor or in the slot. His shot is a cheat code that opens everything else.”
Carlson and Wilson have seen Ovechkin score countless times, but this season is especially exciting, with fans in every arena eager to see him approach the record.
The desire to be part of the record-breaking goal is evident, making Coach Carbery smile.
“Oh, of course!” Carlson says about wanting to assist on the historic goal. “Everyone does. It’s on everyone’s mind.”
Wilson adds, “Everyone will be part of history, regardless of who gets the assist. Telling your kids about being part of that is unforgettable.”
