A debate for the ages: Ovechkin vs. Crosby

By Robert Picarello, NHL Correspondent

Just the way hockey fans from the 1980s still argue today over who was
better, Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux, years from now, the same debate will center around Washington's Alex Ovechkin and Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby.

The two current super sophs came into the league last season and more than lived up to the hype, entertaining fans around the league with their eye-popping moves and highlight-reel goals. While Crosby was all but handed Rookie of the Year honors before the 2005-06 season even started, Ovechkin was the one who captured the Calder Trophy last June in Vancouver at the NHL's Award Show.

Looking back, the race wasn't even close, as Ovechkin virtually ran away with the award, receiving 124 of the 129 first-place votes and five second-place votes for 1,275 points, as compared to Crosby's distant 831 points.

While Crosby didn't skate away as the top rookie, he did come out on top in head-to-head play last season. The then 18-year old not only led the Penguins to a 3-1 record over Washington, he also was Pittsburgh's leading scorer against the Capitals last season, notching three goals and six assists.

Ovechkin finished the 2005-06 season with six points against the Penguins, scoring three goals and three assists in the four games.

The two will meet another four times this year, with the first matchup coming Monday night in Washington.

"I think it's always a little bit more motivating. You know, from my side I think that it's built up so much that, in a way you want to respond and make sure you have a good game," Crosby said. "But at the end of the night the win is most important. That's the way I looked at it. But there's no doubt there seems to be more emotion and intensity when we play each other."

"I think Sidney is right. It's important for us, for our team, to win the game. Of course, Sidney and me want to score goals and have some points, but it's important for us to win the game," Ovechkin said.

Next month, it looks as though the two players may be able to make magic together for the first time at the NHL's All-Star Game, which will be played on Wednesday, Jan. 24th in Dallas. As of Tuesday, Crosby and Ovechkin were among the top Eastern Conference vote-getters for the star-studded event. Crosby was first on the list with 401,365 votes and Ovechkin was in fourth with 203,138 votes after approximately 12 million votes had been cast in the all-digital voting program.

"It will be nice," Crosby said about the opportunity to play with Ovechkin for the first time. "There's always so many comparisons. But for me, I think with my game I'm more much a playmaker and I think Alex is more of a shooter. It would be great to be passing to someone like that, so I look forward to that sure for."

Ovechkin is also hoping to get the opportunity to make history together at
midseason classic.

"Me too. He's a great player I watch lots of games he plays. He just give the pass, and guys just love to shoot, you know. So I’m looking forward to playing with him."

So are the fans.