Wondering if Alex Ovechkin’s hit on Chicago defenseman Brian Campbell in their game last season will lead to some fireworks on Sunday? Remember, Ovechkin was ejected from that March 14 contest at the United Center after being whistled for a major penalty for boarding at 12:16 of the first period. Campbell suffered a fractured clavicle and a broken rib. He didn’t return until Game 2 of the Blackhawks’ second-round Stanley Cup playoff series against Vancouver.
Ovechkin wasn’t happy he received a two-game suspension from that play. The Blackhawks weren’t exactly happy with him. Any retribution expected.
“Everybody knows it wasn’t a dirty hit. I think anyway,” said Washington coach Bruce Boudreau.
Okay, but what if Chicago thinks otherwise. They’re the only ones that matter in this case.
“Well, I think they know, too,” Boudreau said. They just lobbied for [Ovechkin’s] suspension.”
That adds an extra element to what should be a fun game. The Caps fell behind 3-0 to the Blackhawks last year and seemed dead in the water after Ovechkin’s ejection and a second-period goal by John Madden that made it 3-0 Chicago. But the Caps were the NHL’s most explosive team last season. They scored three goals in a span of 2:16 during the third period to tie it and Nicklas Backstrom won it with his second goal of the game in overtime for a thrilling 4-3 win.
“Last year it was kind of great game to watch hockey,” Ovechkin said. “Fights, great comeback. I think we know they have an unbelievable team. We have to right now prove we are a better team than them.”
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