Ovechkin on fast track to MVP

0 Comments | USA TODAY, February, 2008 | by Jeff Zillgitt

WASHINGTON -- Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin looks like a fourth-line grinder with unkempt black hair, a scraggly beard, a nose broken five times and missing and chipped teeth.

His appearance fools no one.

What Ovechkin does with the puck -- score goals as well as anyone in the NHL -- bolsters his status as an MVP hopeful. The 22-year-old leads the league in goals (47) and points (76) and has more goals (145) in the last three seasons than any other player.

Not only is Ovechkin playing better hockey since Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau took over after 21 games, he also has excelled since signing a 13-year, $124million extension Jan. 10.

"It's great when you have a great team, and in the future, we want to play better and...