One of his best seasons, and probably his most underrated (and my personal favorite). Most remember 2009-10 for Ovechkin's suspension after boarding Brian Campbell and the shocking game 7 upset to Montreal in the first round after the Capitals set the record for points in a season by a non-original six team with 121. But go back earlier, before the 2010 Olympic break specifically, and you'll see how we missed out on the best season of the post-lockout era. At that time Ovechkin's stats read 42 goals, 47 assists, and 89 points in 53 games. That's 1.68 points/game, an absolutely ridiculous 65-goal, 137-point pace over 82 games. Maybe that sounds unsustainable, but keep in mind he had kept that pace for 65% of a season. How did he get there? Right out of the gate, Ovechkin was on fire. 14 goals in 13 October games and 15 in his 15. Thanks to the best even-strength production of his career and a Capitals team that scored 308 goals, the most since 1995-96, Ovechkin was able to stay among the league leaders early in the season despite his first career major injuries (in Ovechkin terms) in early November. On January 5th he was named captain, after which the Capitals won 17 of their next 18 games, including a streak of 14 straight. Things were going great. Then the Olympics happened. Ovechkin and Team Russia were humiliated, and after Gold Medal predictions the Russians finished 6th. That embarrassment is what many believe to have triggered Ovechkin's slump that lingered over him for the next two seasons. In the final 19 games, Ovi would put up only 20 points. Thanks to this slump and 10 missed games, he finished 1 goal short of the Rocket and 3 short of the Art Ross. In the end he still averaged 1.5 points/game, an amazing pace in its own right. For both Ovechkin and the Capitals, 2009-10 was a season filled with a lot of big "what ifs". However it still represents the peak of Ovechkin's prime, and October 1, 2009 - February 13, 2010 might just have been the best stretch of hockey anyone has played in a long time. Sadly, it's his last 100-point season, and the last one I think you can say Ovechkin was truly the best.

1 - October 1, 2009 vs. Boston Bruins - 0:01
2 - October 1, 2009 vs. Boston Bruins - 0:17
3 - October 3, 2009 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs - 0:29
4 - October 6, 2009 vs. Philadelphia Flyers - 1:15
5 - October 6, 2009 vs. Philadelphia Flyers - 1:46
6 - October 15, 2009 vs. San Jose Sharks - 2:17
7 - October 15, 2009 vs. San Jose Sharks - 2:45
8 - October 17, 2009 vs. Nashville Predators - 3:03
9 - October 17, 2009 vs. Nashville Predators - 3:29
10 - October 27, 2009 vs. Philadelphia Flyers - 3:54
11 - October 27, 2009 vs. Philadelphia Flyers - 4:44
12 - October 29, 2009 vs. Atlanta Thrashers - 5:02
13 - October 29, 2009 vs. Atlanta Thrashers - 5:19 - Breakaway snipe
14 - October 30, 2009 vs. New York Islanders - 5:32
15 - November 17, 2009 vs. New York Rangers - 5:48
16 - November 21, 2009 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs - 6:29
17 - November 25, 2009 vs. Buffalo Sabres - 6:54
18 - November 28, 2009 vs. Montreal Canadiens - 7:19
19 - December 7, 2009 vs. Tampa Bay Lightning - 7:58
20 - December 7, 2009 vs. Tampa Bay Lightning - 8:24
21 - December 12, 2009 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs - 8:52
22 - December 19, 2009 vs. Edmonton Oilers - 9:09
23 - December 19, 2009 vs. Edmonton Oilers - 9:54
24 - December 23, 2009 vs. Buffalo Sabres - 10:01
25 - December 26, 2009 vs. New Jersey Devils - 10:37
26 - December 30, 2009 vs. San Jose Sharks - 10:59
27 - January 7, 2010 vs. Ottawa Senators - 11:16* - First goal as captain
28 - January 13, 2010 vs. Florida Panthers - 11:51
29 - January 15, 2010 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs - 12:33
30 - January 17, 2010 vs. Philadelphia Flyers - 13:03 - First career penalty shot goal
31 - January 21, 2010 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins - 13:59 - 250th career goal
32 - January 21, 2010 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins - 14:19
33 - January 23, 2010 vs. Phoenix Coyotes - 14:35
34 - January 27, 2010 vs. Anaheim Ducks - 14:55
35 - January 31, 2010 vs. Tampa Bay Lightning - 15:20
36 - February 2, 2010 vs. Boston Bruins - 16:01
37 - February 4, 2010 vs. New York Rangers - 16:13
38 - February 4, 2010 vs. New York Rangers - 16:39* - One handed goal, 500th career point
39 - February 5, 2010 vs. Atlanta Thrashers - 17:32
40 - February 7, 2010 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins - 18:33 - Shatters goal cam
41 - February 7, 2010 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins - 19:56
42 - February 7, 2010 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins - 20:33 - 9th career hat trick
43 - March 8, 2010 vs. Dallas Stars - 22:00
44 - March 8, 2010 vs. Dallas Stars - 22:37*
45 - March 20, 2010 vs. Tampa Bay Lightning - 23:34
46 - March 28, 2010 vs. Calgary Flames - 23:45
47 - April 6, 2010 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins - 24:18
48 - April 6, 2010 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins - 24:46
49 - April 9, 2010 vs. Atlanta Thrashers - 25:16
50 - April 9, 2010 vs. Atlanta Thrashers - 25:42

* - highlight reel goal

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