Green Means GOals | 
When someone mentions the Washington Capitals it’s typically followed by the name Alex Ovechkin. It makes sense too. Ovie, as he is known by friends and teammates, is the reigning Hart, Rocket Richard and Lester B. Pearson trophy winner. He is once again leading the league in scoring with 41 goals and is second only to fellow Russian Evgeni Malkin in points with 74.
This time however, Ovechkin is taking a back seat to another dangerous goal scoring player on the Caps, defenseman Mike Green.
Last Saturday, the 25-year-old Green managed to accomplish something that Bobby Orr, Paul Coffey and Ray Bourque couldn’t do during their entire careers when he tallied a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Green scored goals in eight consecutive games eclipsing the mark set by Boston’s Mike O’Connell in 1983-84 when he scored in seven straight games.
The Calgary native racked up 10 goals and 17 points over the eight games. Impressive for a forward, unheard of by a defenseman. He currently leads all defenseman in goals with 22 and in points with 50. He’s managed to do that in just 44 games.
“I got a chance here yesterday to see his reaction when it happened, and I think that was the greatest satisfaction that I could have got.”
In his third full season with the Caps, Green is already being compared to some of the best offensive defenseman the NHL has ever seen. It’s something that he doesn’t feel is warranted quite yet.
“It’s an honor to be mentioned in the same category as them,” said Green over the phone. “It’s great. You know, obviously they’re incredible players and paved the way for a player like myself.
But, you know, I’m just early in my career. Those guys did it for years. So until I do it for years and retire, then I can say that I’m happy to be where they are.”
Green, like so many of the offensive defensemen in the NHL was pressured to play forward as a kid but preferred to patrol the blueline.
“I played a couple games [as a forward] when I was young, but I never really liked it,” he said. “I always loved defending and then getting the puck and carrying it up the ice.”
Don’t think for a second that Green is just a one trick pony. He’s equally adept at playing in both ends of the rink as evidenced by his plus-28 ranking, good enough for fifth in the entire league.
“I wouldn’t say I’m where I want to be,” he said. “I really took it upon myself this year to be better defensively and complete the game.”
“I think over last year from this year I’ve kind of found a balance of when to jump up into the play and when not to. It’s a lot easier on my body and my conditioning than it has been in the past.”
Green agrees that he gets a lot more room than most players because of all the attention that Ovechkin gets when he’s on the ice.
“Oh, yeah, big-time,” he said. “I mean, especially with the powerplay. He’s so dangerous. If he gets a shot in close, then he’s going to score. To take him away is a smart thing to do. But it also leaves somebody else open. A lot of times it’s me coming backdoor or whatnot. I would cover him over me, for sure.”
The best part of breaking the 25-year-old record, for Green, was having his father in attendance.
“I got a chance here yesterday to see his reaction when it happened, and I think that was the greatest satisfaction that I could have got,” he said.
The Capitals currently have a 13-point lead in the Southeast Division with a record of 36-16-5 for 77 points. They play host to the struggling Montreal Candiens tonight, Colorado on Friday and on Sunday Crosby, Malkin and the rest of the Pens will make their first visit to the Verizon Center this season
Topics: Mike Green, NHL Defenceman, Washington Capitals
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