Crosby v. Ovechkin

A new Sports Illustrated article lauds Sidney Crosby as the best hockey player in the world and takes sharp aim at Alex Ovechkin.

said of Crosby on the eve of the series, and he wasn't referring to putt-putt golf. "[Crosby and Ovechkin] are both really good, but Crosby's better at using the players around him. Great vision. Not only can he score, like he proved this year"—his 51 goals tied for the NHL regular-season lead—"but he passes the puck better than anybody.

This is the sort of thing Ovechkin must get used to reading and hearing until/unless he can silence his critics by doing what Crosby has already done -- lead his team to a Stanley Cup championship. Nothing less will quiet Ovie's critics.

In the meantime, we'll see how good this article looks if the Montreal Canadiens take advantage of their 3-3 tie with the Pittsburgh Penguins and eliminate Crosby & Co. from the playoffs in a decisive game seven. I'm officially now rooting for the Habs, I can tell you that.

Meanwhile, as Big Stein points out: