If it wouldn't be the injury, Semin would still lead the team

 By Slava Malamud, Sport-Express, Nov. 28, 2008:

On the eve of Thanksgiving Day Alex Ovechkin was blessed with the three goals, one construction helmet and the rendezvous with the razor. He scored the goals by himself, the red construction helmet (the team's prize to the player who worked the hardest) was given to him by his teammates and a shave? It was long due. The hero of this day was mostly grateful for returning home after a grueling road trip. The trip that even deprived him of showing his emotions his usual a la Ovechkin way.

Is this the first red construction helmet for you?
Yes, this is the first time.

You've returned to your habitual place, you're the top scorer of the club.
If it wouldn't be Semin's injury, he would still remain in the first place. It is a pity that we lost Alex to injury. He was our leader. He now helps supporting the other guys in the locker room just like Fedorov does it. But I've never left my habitual place, I don't think I showed my best game of the season today, I've just used the scoring chances my teammates created for me.

This is your sixth hat trick. What would you say from this incredible experince, does it give you a motivation for the games following it?
Of course it does. Especially when your goals help your team to win.

Was it difficult to recover from a grueling road trip to the West and three losses in succession?
Yes, I couldn't even sleep yesterday. The whole team thanks God that the road trip is over. And what is even better that the trip like that won't happen again this season. No time zone changes or six hour flights.

We haven't seen too many emotions from you after your hat trick. Are you intentionally not letting your feelings to show?
And why would I do it? The next game will be much more important and more difficult.

Perhaps no other team in the NHL has more injured players than Washington, but you somehow managed to cling to first place in the division.
It tells that we have a great future. We didn't just lose some players, we lost a several very good players. In their place came the guys from our farm club, Alzner, Bourque... But they played well. For them it was a chance to show themselves.

Maybe this is what you needed, to take the main load of responsibility like it was before?
No, I don't need it. It's just happen that the injured players are the most experienced ones, and I realized that I've got to be more serious about finishing my scoring changes.

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