Here’s Who Ovechkin Would Take As A Wing If He & Crosby Were Linemates

The Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby rivalry has been one of the NHL’s most dynamic matchups over the last 18 years, as both have turned into very different generation talents for the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins respectively.

However, what would happen if both were on the same team? It’s hard to imagine, but Crosby had a question on that note for the Great 8; if they were on a team, and linemates, who would be on their right wing?

“Are you sure he say that?” Ovechkin asked TNT’s Tarik El-Bashir, who relayed the question from Sid the Kid.

When El-Bashir affirmed that, Ovechkin thought on it for a second. Then, came back with a golden response.

“He probably wants Mario Lemieux. I’ll take [Donald Brashear],” he decided.

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Ovechkin and Brashear played together in D.C. from 2006-2009, before Brashear moved on to the New York Rangers. Brashear, who also wore No. 87, weighed in at 6-3, 237 pounds, and was a known enforcer and force to bee reckoned with. In 220 games with the Capitals, Brashear registered 10 goals and 15 assists, as well as 396 penalty minutes. Per hockeyfights.com, Brashear dropped the gloves 236 times at the NHL level.

When it comes to why he’d take “Brash,” Ovechkin had a golden and simple explanation.

“We need some protections, you know? We need some freedom out there,” Ovechkin smiled. “So somebody gonna touch us, you know, it’s not gonna be fun.”

Both Ovechkin and Crosby have broken respective franchise records and are climbing their way up all time lists. Ovechkin sits at 788 career goals, and is 14 away from passing Gordie Howe for second and 107 from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record. Crosby’s 901 assists are the most among active players. Both are also in the top-20 in all-time points, with Crosby (1,424) having one more point than Ovechkin (1,423) after Crosby got on the scoresheet with a helper in Pittsburgh’s dominant win over Washington on Wednesday.