Im going to write in defence of Capitals RW Alex Ovechkin, if only because there have been some recent attacks and, while I can certainly live with them being directed at Ovechkin, the analytical process ought to be better, particularly if its going to be a hit piece on the leagues leading goal-scorer. Zach Davies Jersey . Yes, Im writing to defend a player that is on pace for a 59-goal season, when the second-best goal-scorer in the NHL this season, Torontos Phil Kessel, is on pace for 43. Naturally, I didnt think that Ovechkin would be a player that needed much defending, but hes taken some hits lately. Im going to largely ignore his contributions on the power play because its not in any dispute that Ovechkin is great with the man advantage and can make a difference even when he doesnt score. On one side of the discussion, we have the Toronto Star, with their Department of Hockey Analytics, and while there are plenty of flaws in Ovechkins game, they somehow determined that his goals-for/against percentage was the way to illustrate the problem. Never mind that goals for/against percentage is essentially measuring plus-minus. Ill get to that in a moment but, first, also peruse the Hockey News piece by Ken Campbell who, after Ovechkin was minus-5 against Columbus, decided that Ovechkin has to decide what kind of player he is. After all, Ovechkin was minus-17 on the season after that game. Whats odd about using plus-minus to denigrate Ovechkins contributions is that anyone doing serious analytical work in hockey has been against using plus-minus because it involves so many factors beyond an individual players control (not least of which are the contributions of nine other skaters and two goaltenders when the game is 5-on-5) and, generally, involves small samples because goals are relatively rare events. Its funny to find myself in this position, because I can be a bit of an apologist for plus-minus. You spend enough time around the game and that thinking can be pretty common, and when the sample is large enough, you can get a pretty decent list of players at both ends of the spectrum. (For example, heres the list of players with the best cumulative plus-minus since 2000, and here are the worst.) But, Ive at least learned that there are many other factors that go into whether a player is a plus or minus player, and they must be considered if youre going to attempt to pass judgment on a single season or, especially, a portion of a season. So, lets take a look at some factors that are at play to make Alex Ovechkin a minus-17. First off, the shooting percentage of others on the ice with Ovechkin at 5-on-5 is ridiculously low. His 6.3% is only ahead of fourth-liners Aaron Volpatti and Jay Beagle among Capitals forwards. The suggestion could be made -- and of course it has been -- that Ovechkin isnt making those around him better, but here are the 5-on-5 on-ice shooting percentages when Ovechkin has been on the ice for the past five seasons: 10.36%, 8.62%, 8.05%, 11.76%, 9.09%. Youre really going to have to dig for reasons, other than poor luck and ineffective shooters, to explain even-strength shooting effectiveness declining by 40% over last season, especially when Ovechkin himself is shooting 10.6% (18 goals, 170 shots) at 5-on-5. Taking away Ovechkins 18 goals on 170 shots, leaves the other Capitals to score eight goals on 242 shots (3.3%) with Ovechkin on the ice. Marcus Johansson, his most common left winger, has one goal on 51 shots. This undeniably effects plus-minus, right? Of course it does. Give Ovechkin an average on-ice shooting percentage (say, 8%) and that is a difference of about seven goals. At the other end of the rink, Ovechkin is getting burned with a .909 save percentage at 5-on-5. Naturally, the argument will be that Ovechkins defensive play is what leads to that low percentage. Keep in mind, that percentage is well below career norms for him (.922 over the past five seasons, including this one) and ranks near the bottom on the Capitals roster. Use that typical save percentage, on 439 shots against, and that becomes a difference of 5-6 goals. So, why not take a look at where the shots are coming from with Ovechkin on the ice? According to Some Kind of Ninjas Shot Tracker, shots against the Capitals with Ovechkin on the ice at even strength, come from an average distance of 34.5 feet. In the previous five seasons, it has been 34.2, 36.6, 35.8, 34.6 and 35.9 feet on average. There can be an argument made, based on those average shot distances, that Ovechkins most effective defensive performances were in 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 (the Dale Hunter season), but there really isnt a huge difference; goaltenders arent suddenly flummoxed by 34-foot shots when 36-footers are easy pickings. On top of that, best of luck trying to identify those particular seasons as anything close to Ovechkins best. Why? Because he scored 70 goals and 150 points in 157 games over those two seasons, producing the two lowest point scoring rates of his career. Yes, even lower than this season, when virtually no one else puts the puck in the net with him on the ice. Of course Ovechkin is not a defensive whiz, but that shouldnt stand as an indictment any more than it has for elite offensive players throughout the history of the game. Seriously, take a look at the Top 10 goal-scorers in the league, none of whom put the puck in the net like Ovechkin, and identify the ones that are notably strong backcheckers. Some are: Joe Pavelski, Alexander Steen, Patrick Sharp, but theres no reason to believe that right wingers Kessel or Corey Perry or Patrick Kane are doing brilliant work in the defensive end. Heres the thing: theyre all great players! Part of the trouble for Ovechkin is that the Capitals havent been able to win in the postseason, so he gets painted with the brush of failure for a whole host of team shortcomings. Thats what comes with being a superstar. This Capitals team is flawed. They rank in the bottom third of the league in Fenwick Close (measuring shot attempts, not including blocks, at even strength, with the score close), which is a good indication of team puck possession, yet Ovechkin has relatively solid possession numbers. If you want to break down a players overall contribution, and feel that you must use one statistic in order to do so (better yet, dont), then at least reduce the impact of others on the ice and look at the possession stats, because it wont matter that linemates arent finishing or that, for whatever reason, goaltenders arent stopping the puck. Shooting and save percentages fluctuate and while they affect perception -- just ask Tyler Bozak -- they dont get to the bottom of a players on-ice contribution, and so it is with Ovechkin this year, who is having a fine season, no matter what his plus-minus says. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. Jesus Aguilar Jersey . American Lindsey Jacobellis was third, while Japans Yuka Fujimori finished just off the podium. Maltais, from Petite-Riviere-St-Francois, Que., earned bronze at the 2006 Olympic Games and is set to return to the Games this February in Sochi, Russia. Stephen Vogt Jersey . First reported by FOX Sports Ken Rosenthal, its unknown if the impetus for the deferral proposal came from players or management, but it never left the preliminary stages. http://www.brewersteamshop.com/Brewers-Travis-Shaw-Kids-Jersey/ . They have homered once every 27.3 at bats, which just happens to be the third best mark in the American League, albeit just 10 games into the season.After playing at Middlesbrough for nearly his whole career, Seb Hines has been loving life at Orlando City in MLS. Hines traded his hometown club for the Lions before their inaugural MLS season last year, and so far hes been a regular starter for the club, who finished just outside the play-off places in seventh last season.Two games into the 2016 campaign, and Orlando have picked up two home points, most recently a 1-1 draw against Chicago Fire. Orlando now travel to Yankee Stadium to take on New York City FC - live on Sky Sports - where Hines will be responsible for marking one of the best players in the league in David Villa.We asked Hines 10 MLS-related questions, as he tells us all about life across the pond and playing in one of Americas rapidly growing football hotbeds. How would you assess Orlando as a place for football... or soccer? Orlando played out a 2-2 draw in front of over 60,000 fans in their opening game of the season against Real Salt Lake The buzz for soccer around Orlando, whoever you talk to, is just unbelievable.We had 60,000 fans there for our first game on the opening day [against Real Salt Lake] which was amazing and we could leave the stadium with our head held high after going 2-0 down and bringing it back to make it 2-2.Wherever you go around Orlando you see a sea of purple, its a carnival atmosphere on the streets and the citys taken to football in America.How would you compare the fan culture and gameday experience to England? A very different fan experience in MLS compared to England I feel its more of an event. People make more of a day of it, even from getting there five hours before a game, theyll be there outside the stadium with barbeques and picnics.Theyre really all up for the game prior to the match whilst in England I felt like you just turned up.You might go to the pub before you go to the game. Its more for the families here and I cant talk highly enough about the fans.Other English players and former team-mates you talk to in MLS? Seb Hines spoke to Giles Barnes (R) before deciding to make the move to MLS We had Sean St. Ledger here, hes at Colorado now but I keep in touch with him. I see a couple of players who were up against like Bradley Wright-Phillips and my former team-mate at Middlesbrough Kei Kamara.Giles Barnes [at Houston Dynamo], I spoke to him before I came out here asking about the league and how its set up and he said: youll enjoy it mate, its definitely an exciting league to be involved in.An attractive prospect to play in MLS? A trip to Disneyland after training is a very realistic option for Hines MLS is a well-run organisation, its exciting, if you have the opportunity to play out here then you should definitely think about it.Ive enjoyed every moment of it. After training I could go to the pool, the beach, Disneyland, I could go wherever! Its amazing, whereas in Middlesbrough you dont get those sorts of opportunities to do that.Even in the off-season I just stay, because if I was back home I would go back out of Orlando to go on holiday. I just make full use of whats around me.What is it like playing alongside Kaka and what kind of influence does he have? Kaka is Orlando Citys captain Its massive. Hes a leader for our team. Hes plaayed at the highest level. Domingo Santana Jersey. Hes won every competition that a footballer wants to win and I cant speak highly enough of him.Weve got a lot of young players in the team and we need his experience to drive us on and become winners.Other Orlando players to look out for? Orlando City striker Cyle Larin has scored 19 goals in 29 matches I would say Cyle Larin. Everything he touches turns into goals. Hes young, hes exciting and definitely one to watch for the future.We have got a young team with a lot of young players. Im classed as a senior, a veteran and Im 27!A lot of these players come straight from college and into a professional environment which is exciting for them and a massive learning curve.Are you looking forward to seeing former AC Milan and West Ham midfielder Antonio Nocerino in action? Hines says Nocerino brings high level experience to the side Hes a very good technical player, we havent seen much of him because hes just come in so itll be good to see how he does in the team and what he can bring.He definitely adds the talent, he also has experience of playing at the highest level. You dont play for AC Milan and then be rubbish so he is definitely a great addition to our team.How do you compare MLS to the Championship? Hines (L) was owned by Middlesbrough since the start of his career before moving to MLS I would say its one of the highest leagues in the world.Youve got the Premiership, La Liga, Serie A, after that Im not sure if you would find World Cup winners, Ballon Dor winners in the same league.You have to be so, so aware of everyones talent so its definitely a growing league, it will only get bigger with the players coming over from Europe and Im glad that Im a part of it and see the development over the seasons.Play New York City FC this weekend - what is it like as a defender going up against the likes of David Villa and Andrea Pirlo? Hines will be up against the likes of Andrea Pirlo and David Villa on Friday evening You want to play against the best players in the world and thats definitely something you can do out here in MLS.One week you play David Villa, the next you might be playing Didier Drogba. You dont see those types of players in the Championship so its definitely a great challenge for me and the younger players in our team.I played against David Villa three times last year and hes definitely a talent. Hes won World Cups, hes won Champions Leagues so were all aware of what hes capable of.Its just trying to contain him and give him minimal chances against us [on Friday].Is MLS Cup being spoken about? The Philip F. Anschutz trophy - or better known as MLS Cup Right now we need to make play-offs. We fell one game too short [last year] and when you make the play-offs anything can happen.Last year Portland won it and we managed to beat Portland away [last year] so we know that were more than capable of making it.Were all in high hopes but right now were just trying to make play-offs and win as many games as we can. 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