Alex Ovechkin is on-pace to break Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal record, which is something that Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews may eventually break, but he'll never be as good as the Great 8.
This is not a hate-piece towards Auston Matthews but instead is an appreciation post to Alex Ovechkin and his longevity. Over the course of his career, Ovechkin has continued to be incredibly healthy and even when he's not, he's able to score 20 goals in a season, which is amazing.
Currently in Year 20, Ovechkin just had his 20th consecutive season of 20 or more goals. There are some players that will bounce their grandkids on their knee talking about that one magical 20-goal season they had in the NHL, while Ovechkin does this in his sleep. He's the (soon-to-be) greatest goal-scorer in the history of the league and is somewhat underrated.
I feel like Sidney Crosby is looked upon as the best player since 2000, despite Ovechkin scoring at an insane clip. With three Stanley Cup's, multiple gold medals and more points, I would probably be Team Crosby, but it's still amazing how great both of their career's have been.
Back to the Matthews debate.
They may be 12 years apart, but Matthews is the only current player who will be able to challenge Gretzky/Ovechkin's future record when it comes to goal-scoring. Matthews is currently in Year 9 and has yet to score less than 34 goals in a season.
Matthews Can Learn From Ovechkin's Physicality
Comparatively, Ovechkin's worst season was 32 goals at this point in his career, but he'd also had five 50-goal seasons by this point, while Matthews only has two.
Although Matthews is scoring at a rate that only Ovechkin can compare, the reason why Auston will never be as great as Ovechkin is because of his style of play. Not only does Ovechkin score, but his energy on the ice is unlike anyone else. With that energy, he uses his 6-foot-3, 230 pound frame to hits everyone in sight and is arguably the best power-forward in the game.
At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, Matthews needs to copy that part of Ovechkin's game if he ever wants to be legendary. The most hits that Matthews has ever thrown in a season is 90, while the least amount of hits Ovechkin has had in an 82-game season is 139.
There have been nine occasions where Ovechkin has tallied 200 or more hits in a season, and every year seems to be either first or second on his team in that category. Ovechkin's ability to use his body has been a huge factor to why he and the Washington Capitals have been so successful.
Matthews has the raw talent to score 40 goals every year, but if he wants to bring his game to the next level, he needs to get more physical. He needs to be someone who isn't afraid to throw that extra hit because he's big enough to ensue force. I'm not looking for him to fight and get penalties, but physical contact can throw off the opponent and make him harder to play against.
That extra physicality could be the difference-maker in the Leafs winning or losing a playoff round, so I'd love to see Matthews add Ovechkin's physicality to his repertoire.