Crosby vs Ovechkin- Who's better?

Question

I'm a Leaf's fan, but here's why I think Crosby is better:

Crosby has 14 more points even though he's played 5 games less and even though Ovechkin has 140 more shots than Cosby! Ove is such a hog! He's worried more about his stats than his team.

Crosby is +11 and Ove is a friggin -14!

Crosby has 4 less penalty minutes.

Crosby has a better shot percentage.

Crosby is an awesome playmaker whereas Ove doesn't setup plays like Sid the Kid.

Crosby's team has 10 more points than Ovechkin's team.

Crosby's team has beaten Ovechkin's team more.

Sid has more sick goals!

The only reason why Ove has more goals is because he takes so many shots. Hell....even I could score that many if I took those many shots! Ove has the most shots in the NHL!

It would be interesting to find out who has more minutes of ice time this year.

Sid is Canadian, Alex is Russian :) nuff said!

Sid is going to the playoffs, Alex is not!

Sid the Kid hands down baby!

Answer 1

I have watched Crosby all season, and Ovechkin probably 10 times. I pick Crosby, here's why:
He is just as tough as Ovechkin, whether you believe it or not. He doesn't hit as much because he isn't as big, but he will play tough and physical, and is very strong. Crosby doesn't complain and cost his team penalties like people believe. He has less PIM and draws more PIM. Yes, his team is better, but that is largely due to him. He is often outnumbered, but he still comes through. Crosby makes others better, he makes his own helpers. His +/- is great because he is great on D. Gonchar has a poor +/-, so how can you say it's just due to him being on a better team with a better goalie? Arguably the best defensemen on the team is nowhere near Crosby with +/-. Ovechkin has taken over twice as many shots as Crosby. Crosby has a higher percentage, indicating if he took more shots, he would surpass Ovechkin. Crosby sets up goals with unbelievable plays, he involves every one. He leads the league in points because while he could easily just shoot it all day, he makes incredible plays to set up goals.
Here's the basic thing:
Crosby is on a good team, but that is largely due to how good Crosby is. He makes more spectacular, mind blowing plays than Ovechkin. People will rip on him, but honestly I think a lot of people do it out of envy, which is fine, because the fact of the matter is, Crosby is the best there is, whether you like it or not.

Answer 2

Note: I am from the city of Pittsburgh.

I will consider statistics and heart when I answer this question. Of course we all know that Crosby is demolishing points leader by twelve points and 5 less games played. But, some may say Sid gets too emotional. That is garbage. When every line playing against Crosby is out to get at his throat its hard for Sid the Kid to control has actions. I mean cmon, he gets cheap shotted all the time. In the Canadians game in Pittsburgh LaPierre speared him, Jason Blake speared him to when his team was down by like 4 goals with 10 seconds left. You can't blame Crosby for gettin a little upset can you. After seeing Ovechkin check that guy in the back this year into the boards outside of play and injure, I lost all respect for the guy. Oechkin does play a rough game but its ugly sometimes. Crosby is a playmaking machine with all those assists. Trust me people, until ou watch the Pittsburgh Penguins every day like I do you will see that Crosby is a much better hockey player then Ovechkin ever will be.

Answer 3

When it comes to natural hockey talent, im gonna say ovechkin, and before u go yelling at me heres why

1) Ovechkin doesn't have the teammates Sid has, so even when he tries to set ppl up, it doesnt work..(yea u can make the argument that Sid is on a line w/ young, inexperienced players, but at least those players are good)

2) "Sid is Canadian, Alex is Russian :) nuff said!" ..that is enough said...where did Canada finish last olympics again? I thought so...

3) Sid had Mario Lemieux to take him under his wing, Ovechkin had/has to learn stuff on his own

4) Ovechkin is a better goal scorer, not just cuz of shots, but strength w/ the puck, awareness, shooter's touch, etc.

5) Ovechkin can hit

6)"Crosby is +11 and Ove is a friggin -14! , Crosby's team has 10 more points than Ovechkin's team , Crosby's team has beaten Ovechkin's team more , Sid is going to the playoffs, Alex is not!"

^^^ these are all team statistics and have nothing to do w/ the two players as individual players

7)Sid has more sick goals! <---not true

8)Yes, Ovechkin takes a lot of shots, but that doesn't make him bad, good things happen when you shoot, look at the rangers, they dont shoot when they shoot, and they suck...(im a rangers fan)...the ducks and wings both shoot a lot, they are doing well.

9) Crosby couldn't have scored THE GOAL that Ovechkin scored, and you know which one I'm talking about

dont get me wrong, they are both GREAT players, especially for their ages, but i personally believe that ovechkin is a better player by nature, and since he didnt have anybody like mario to, like i said before, take him under his wing, it'll take him a few more years to reach his full potential than itll take crosby

Answer 4

Crosby is a better player, I have no doubts about that.

That being said, let's dissect the questioner's rationale:

1) Crosby having more points than Ovechkin

Can't argue that because those are the numbers. However, the difference lies in where each guy is getting his points. Crosby has significantly more assists, a testament to having guys like Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal to play with. Ovechkin scores more goals, but then again, he has to because he has nobody else of consequence on his team. For this I would actually give the edge to Ovechkin, but ever so slightly.

2) Plus/Minus

The most overused and overrated stat in the NHL. This thing needs to be ignored because you can get a plus or a minus by merely being on the ice when something happens. For instance (since I am an LA Kings fan), say Alex Frolov is on the power play and during the play, Rob Blake tries to pinch in on the puck as it's being cleared, misses, and the result is a shorthanded breakway goal. Now clearly the play is a result of Blake's ineptitude, however, Frolov still gets dinged with a minus because he was on the ice when ol' #4 had his brain fart.


3) Four less penalty minutes

So what, means he doesn't get whistled for it, doesn't mean he isn't doing it.

4) Better shot percentage

Crosby doesn't need to shoot as much because he has Malkin, Staal, etc. All he has to do is make plays and score when he has the opportunity, which for him is whenever the timing is better for the team.

5) Crosby an awesome playmaker

Well, duh, that's why he's being compared to Wayne Gretzky. Ovechkin is more a scorer in the mold of a Brett Hull or a 1988-89 Bernie Nicholls than an overall scorer and passer.

6) Team standings

Are a result of the team, not the individual. Guarantee you Crosby wouldn't lift the garbage that is the Caps to the level of the Pens with the talent that is in Washington.

7) Head-to-Head teams

See #6

8) More sick goals

See Ovechkin highlights

9) Shots by Ovechkin

See teams

10) Ice time

Doesn't mean anything, they are both #1 line centers. Ovechkin may have more, but that would be the by-product of how bad the Caps are versus any stamina or other issues.

11) Nationality

So what, leave the Canuck bias out of it.

12) Postseason

Pens aren't guaranteed anything yet.


Overview: Sidney Crosby is a better player than Ovechkin because of one key thing: his vision on the ice and his ability to make his teammates around him better. Ovechkin is an amazing talent, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if he finished his career with bordering on 800 goals because he is just that good of a scorer. However, Crosby has the potential to drop Gordie Howe to third on the all-time points list, which speaks volumes.


Crosby is my choice.

Answer 5

Both of these kids are sick, and points regardless i think crosby is the better player (even last year when he had less points). He's more creative with the puck and he's the complete package. Ovechkin is not a great passer/playmaker. I will give him that he does score some amazing goals, but the reason he has a high assist total is because players pick up his shot rebounds. Crosby is a team player and is willing to make a great play and give up the goal to another player.

Answer 6

Well you also have to take into account the talent around the two. This is similar to a "what if Mario Lemieux played on the Oilers of the 80s and Gretzky played on the Pens of the 80". Both are incredible talents but its easy to lead the league in assists when you are surrounded by 3 of the most talented young players in the NHL. Ovechkin is pretty much the start and stop as far as pure scoring threat for the capitals.The reason for Ovechkin taking so many shots is two fold 1) he is the only scoring threat he has to take all the shots to score all the goals and 2) not all shots are always meant to go in. Many of his shots are simply to create a rebound and let someone knock it in from out front. Its not pretty but when you have the talent (or lack or) on the caps you have to take garbage goals. Crosby has the luxury of playing with great players and creating plays. I think Oveckin would have amazing numbers as well if he had Stall, Malkin, Whitney, Recci, to rotate with on the PP and regular lines.

Crosby has better vision and is a better playmaker. Ovechkin is more naturally talented though.

Answer 7

In addition to all your statistics that easily show that Crosby is a better, more efficient player than Ovechkin, there is also a stat where Crosby has 43 of his 84 points are not power play goals, whereas Ovechkin only has 31 points of his 70. Also, of Crosby's 41 power play points, 34 of them are assists. This shows that not only can Crosby score, but he has the vision that few players have in being able to see the play before it happens. Ovechkin as of now, is more a shoot first player and I am not sure how much vision he has in being able to see the play develop.

Answer 8

Yet another question with the answer the questioner "wants" in the details. I actually don't have a problem with most of what you said, but I'll pick Ovechkin because he's getting a LOT less help. And I do have a problem with:

"Ove is such a hog"...Players have to use the skills they bring to the table. Professionals put there teams above themselves, and if not, believe me the coaching will straighten them out fast. Wayne Gretzky was the worst "hog" in history. Are you NOT supposed to have the puck if you're the best at making plays with it?

Plus/Minus stats are an indication of what your team and Goaltender does MUCH more than you.

Taking shots is a SKILL. Goal scorers have Goals because they take shots, more than because of their shooting percentage. You COULDN'T take that many shots, that's the point.

What does minutes played mean? If Crosby has more, you'll say he has better Stamina. If Ovechkin has more, you'll say he should have more points.

Canadian vs. Russian? What does that have to do with who's better?

And last I looked the Penguins had not clinched that playoff spot just yet.

Answer 9

stats aren't everything. Yes Crosby has good stats but look at his team. They're probably going to make the playoffs this year. Look at Ovechkins team. Not going to make the playoffs again this year. Crosbys numbers are good because he has other playmakers on his team whereas Ovechkin doesn't. If Crosby was in Ovechkins place he wouldn't be able to do it. But I really do not think you can compare these two players. They have totally differant playing styles. Ovechkin is the shooter/scorer, Crosby is the Playmaker/at times scorer. two differant styles, two great players, one freakin awesome game!

Answer 10

Crosby for sure!!!
Ovechkin might have beaten crosby in points last year but crosby was still 18 years old!!!! 103 points!!!!
And last year you couldn't use that excuse that he had great players to pass to.... he had nobody
His vision on the ice is better than anyone in the league and he gets better every game.
Ovechkin is a great player in his own right, but relies only on his goal scoring!!
Crosby can score with the best of them, and he can find the open man at any time.
Sure Malkin and Stall have lots of goals, but Crosby does not play all that much with them. they are all natural centremen
Just look at other lower lifes on that team that score: Reechi, Whitney, Ouellet, Armstrong
All of those players benefited from Crosby on the ice.
Ovechkin is great, but Crosby is amazing and makes everyone else good