Alexander Ovechkin was a top choice to repeat as the NHL's MVP earlier this season, but the Capitals steady play might actually hurt his chances. Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin and New Jersey's Zach Parise, a pair of contenders for the award, have helped their team surge in the second half of the season. Washington, however, still believes that Ovechkin should be the first player since Dominik Hasek (1997 and 1998) to win back-to-back Hart Trophies. "He is the best player in the league," Caps general manager George McPhee said. "Who else does what he does? Who else scores as many goals and gets as many points and plays as physical? Nobody - he's still got 20 percent more goals... and he still has more hits than anybody that would even be close to him in points. He is still the most unique player in this league - and the best."