The Capitals captain ranks third all-time in the NHL in hits.
When asked if they'd rather take a hit from Alex Ovechkin or Tom Wilson, the Washington Capitals make their choice quickly.
According to Wilson, all of the defensemen agree they'd rather take it from Wilson
"That's an easy one," Brandon Duhaime, who ranks second on the team in hits as he makes his presence known as one of the tougher guys in the league, said. "I love to get hit by Willy, he's a little bit soft on his feet. Ovi's built like a train."
After 20 years, Ovechkin is still hitting hard. Through 39 games this year, Ovechkin has racked up 74 hits and has totalled 3,707 over his storied career, the third-most all-time.
"He's big on his skates, he's a big guy as it is," Duhaime laughed. "If he catches someone not looking — even if they're looking — he's going to bury them."
Even at 39 years old, Ovechkin still likes to get physical. The 6-foot-3, 238-pound winger knows that a hit can lead to a turnover or even shift the momentum. It's why he doesn't mind the physical nature of the game; it's all routine.
"It's a physical sport," he pointed out.
He ranks sixth on the team in hits, and had he not missed 16 games due to a broken leg, would likely be higher on that list.
"He hits hard, he hits heavy. Most guys that have had the longevity and the success in their careers, they don’t play that way. He plays every shift extremely hard,” Wilson said. “He can run guys over. That’s why I loved him as a kid, that’s why he was one of my favorite players. He’d score, pass, run over guys, defend himself. I’ve never had to pull a fly off Ovi’s back. He can do it himself."
Still, it admittedly takes its toll.
Wilson leads the Capitals with 156 hits this season, and all the while, his top skating speed of 23.22 miles per hour ranks in the 94th percentile. When he slams into someone, he surely feels it.
"Giving out hits, every hit, two guys feel it: the guy that gets hit and the guy that gives the hit. Going through guys that are 230 pounds at full speed towards the body, the wear and tear builds up," Wilson said. "I can tell you that first-hand."
For Wilson, 30, the best recovery is sleep, but it can be hard to come by after an adrenaline-filled night.
That said, he continues to be amazed by Ovechkin's continued physicality.
"The fact that he's continuing to do this at his age and continue to fill the net with goals is just honestly, remarkable," Wilson said. "That's one of the coolest things for me is the amount of hits he has, the amount of offense and success and how many games he's played."
