Overshadowed by the Super Bowl was an incredibly entertaining matinee matchup between Sidney Crosby’s Pittsburgh Penguins and Alexander Ovechkin’s Washington Capitals.  Anytime these two combatants meet you can guarantee it will be a war on ice, and this game did not disappoint.

The game had everything from big hits to great goals and countless momentum swings.  The Capitals came into the game on a scorching hot 13 game win streak and it looked all but over as Crosby and his teammates jumped out to a 4-1 lead.  Crosby was dominant early on in every aspect of the game with 2 goals as he looked to control the pace of the game.  Never to be outdone, Ovechkin threw his team on his back and lead the come from behind charge as he scored a hat-trick to tie the game up and eventually set up the game winning goal in overtime.

I love watching the Crosby/Ovechkin battles as they always turn into heated affairs that demonstrate passion, skill and a genuine dislike for one another.  Without question these two players are the cream of the crop in the league right now and simultaneously represent the face of the NHL.  Whenever you mention either one of the superstars the next question that always follows is: “Who do you like better?”

It’s a tough question to answer.  Both players are unbelievably talented in their own right and bring different dimensions to the game.  The inner Canadian patriarch in me wants to lean towards Crosby without hesitation, but it’s not easy.  Ovechkin oozes brilliance and leaves you in awe with his dynamic game changing abilities.  Off the ice, he displays a contagious love for the game which you cannot help but to love.

Whichever player you prefer, there’s no disputing the fact that they have one of the best rivalries in hockey right now, and one that will undoubtedly continue for years.  That being said, who do you like better; Crosby or Ovechkin?