What we have here is a difference of opinion. Alex Ovechkin left his skates to hit New York defenseman Dan Girardi during a play in the second period. From the Rangers perspective, it was a late hit to the head that deserves a look from the NHL’s department of player safety. To the Caps, it was the case of two players protecting themselves from an inevitable hit. It was a penalty on Ovechkin for charging, but not worth more than those two minutes.
Brendan Shanahan, NHL senior vice president of player safety, might have to decide between the opposing viewpoints. It’s clear Ovechkin left his feet. He was moving right to left, saw the puck around Girardi’s feet and lept. That’s an obvious charge – a play that got Ovechkin suspended for three games after a Jan. 22 hit to the head on Pittsburgh defenseman Zbynek Michalek. In his career, Ovechkin has been suspended three times and fined twice. That history could come into play if the league office decides the play warrants more discipline.
“You know, he hit my head a bit there, but I think it was the right call,” Girardi said. “I’m not sure what it was, whether it was charging or interference or whatever, but my head’s there, and he hits it. But I think he was just playing the game hard. I don’t know.”
In Ovechkin’s view, he did leave his feet, but caught Girardi in the shoulder. That’s a key distinction. Shanahan will need to decide if the head was the principle point of contact before issuing supplemental discipline.
“I just missed the puck,” Ovechkin said. “I tried to kick the puck and I saw he was coming, so I just got to protect myself.”
Added Caps coach Dale Hunter: “I didn’t see the replay on it yet, but it was, you know, I think both of them were surprised they hit each other. It was incidental contact where both of them were looking down and they hit each other.”
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