Those fans excited to see Alex Ovechkin play against the Blackhawks didn't get much of a chance as the Capitals winger was tossed from Sunday's contest with a game misconduct for boarding Hawks defenseman Brian Campbell.
Campbell had passed the puck when Ovechkin hammered him into the boards and the Hawks veteran spent several minutes on the ice before heading to the dressing room. Ovechkin was given a five-minute boarding penalty and game misconduct that ended his day after 4 minutes 50 seconds of ice time during which he had one shot on goal.
The Hawks lead 2-0 with Jonathan Toews getting both goals.
Photo: Washington's Alex Ovechkin looks at Brian Campbell after he checked him during the first period. (AP / Nam Y. Huh)
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Blackhawks blew it. At home and with the Caps not having Ovechkin almost the whole game and they still lost. How come Kane can't score goals when it matters (at least for the Hawks he can't)
Regardless of what happens the rest of this regular season this team is in serious trouble.
And please don't anybody (including the Hawks themselves) use the "they're tired" garbage. Fine...then don't play in the damn Olympics! They wanted to play, it was their choice, now suck it up and go.
This club looks like **** since they returned from the two week break and the goaltending is still horrid.
This team is going nowhere fast come playoff time. Period.
Mark Liptak
Watched both games this weekend from Pittsburgh. Your Hawks are like the Cubs - doesn't mater how much talent the team has one year to the next, they'll find a way to lose the big games. Transcend geography and pick a team that has leaders and knows how to win in the clutch.
It doesn't matter. The Hawks gave the game away with another implosion in the third period. 4-3 Caps in OT. This team is going nowhere.
nbc sucks. bunch of whiners sick of hearing about ovechkin.
"Should have been just a double minor."
LOL - IDIOT!
Wayno...what would the double minors be for? Boarding is a major offense when a player is injured. The officials made the right call with the 5 minute major and the game misconduct (injury involving the head or neck). If you don't think I'm correct, go back and read the rules. It didn't help that the Capitals coach was a total idiot, swearing so everyone at home could read his nasty lips. Ovechkin is the captain of this team? Committing dirty offenses? That team needs a better role model in a captain AND a coach.
Ovechkin knew he messed up after he made the hit.I agree it would have been nice to see him against the Hawks but the hit came well after Campbell had got rid of the puck, very stupid play on Ovechkin.
Sorry, but I think it was a bad call. Should have been just a double minor.