[OFB Admin Note: Thanks to Dmitry Chesnokov for translating the following Q&A that Pavel Lysenkov conducted with Alexander Ovechkin.]

Sovetsky Sport continues the tradition of "on the road" Q&A sessions with players at major hockey tournaments. Sunday night, right after the game against the Czech Republic, NHL's highest scorer and simply a great guy Alex Ovechkin answered questions left for him by our readers at our website www.sovsport.ru.

The meeting was scheduled to take place at the Concord Hotel in Quebec where the Russian National team is housed. Pavel Lysenkov and Vitaly Slavin of SovSport brought a few magazines with them with Ovechkin on the covers.

"Wow!" - Ovechkin said. "What am I doing on the cover?"

Strange person, no? Mr. Shy. As if it wasn't him, but we were lighting fire during the regular season in the NHL, filmed commercials, and became idols for women.

Do you remember who you gave these interviews to?

"No. I am trying to figure it out using the photos. Let's see.." -- Ovechkin is flipping pages. "Oh, this one was taken during the first season with the Capitals. I even have the front tooth in place. Alright, I will read it in my spare time."

Well then let's get to fans' questions. User Hedgehog is asking: this was the first year you played in the NHL playoffs. Are these really such special incomparable to anything else games?

"Actually, yes. During the Stanley Cup playoffs every game is treated as if it's the final battle. How can I explain it? Do you remember the Olympics in 2006 in Turin when we had a great game against Team Canada in the quarterfinals [2:0 - Ovechkin scored the game winner]? So with Washington I played seven such games against Philadelphia! When we needed either to win, or to die."

Is it true that an NHL player is only paid during the regular season?

"Yes, we do not get paid for the playoffs. Not even bonuses."

So why would you "die?"

"Everyone want to win the Stanley Cup. Believe me, these are not just empty words."