Thrashers take aim at Sid the Pest, eh, the Kid

Nov 19 2008

Published by bud006 at 9:39 pm under Thrashers Analysis Edit This

By Bud L. Ellis
thrashers.today.com

ATLANTA — The NHL’s leading scorer comes to Philips Arena Thursday, and it puts a delightful smile on my face to say it’s not Sidney Crosby.

Evgeni Malkin entered play tonight with seven goals and 23 assists. Crosby, the anointed “Golden Child” by the NHL and by all those who sponsor the league (which isn’t many, but that’s another axe to grind for another day), isn’t exactly my favorite player. Yes, he’s good. Very, very good. Damn good, to be blunt.

But I don’t like him.

OK, call me a hater. I’m sure Wayne Gretzky had ’em back in the day. As did Michael Jordan. As did Ted Williams. You acknowledge their greatness, but at the same time, you delight when your team sticks it to the chosen one.

Me? I’d take Alexander Ovechkin in a heartbeat. For that matter, Malkin. And of course, the guy who will be leading the opposition against Sid the Kid – Ilya Kovalchuk and the Atlanta Thrashers.

Usually, Crosby and Kovy are leading their teams in scoring. Not the case so far. Malkin leads the Pens, and Bryan Little (nine goals, eight assists) leads the way for the Thrashers.

Beyond the sheer aggravation I get from Crosby, the Thrashers need a good showing Wednesday after seeing their five-game winning streak end Sunday in Philadelphia. No better way to start a new streak than by putting it to the chosen one.