Ovechkin’s Hit on Mark Pysyk Draws Ire From Panthers Head Coach Bob Boughner


Photos by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images

It seems that yet another hit levied by a Capitals player is drawing a lot of attention. In his post game presser, Florida Panthers’ Head Coach Bob Boughner asked that the NHL’s Department of Player Safety review a hit made by Capitals Captain Alex Ovechkin  in the second period of Friday nights game between the Panthers and Capitals. 

The hit in question happened 52 seconds into the second period. Panthers’ defenseman Mark Pysyk would be on the receiving end of an Ovechkin hit at the top of the left circle. Pysyk would leave the game following the hit and would not return. There was no penalty called on the play.

Panthers head coach Bob Boughner made it known that he was not at all happy with Ovechkin’s hit on Pysyk. After the game, Boughner called for the Department of Player Safety to review the hit, calling it “high”, and “a head shot.”

Ovechkin wasn’t finished knocking down Panthers. Later in the game he would lay another good hit, this time Alexander Barkov would be on the receiving end.

There has been no official statement from the Department of Player Safety regarding Ovechkin’s hit on Pysyk.

By Jon Sorensen

About Jon Sorensen

Jon has been a Caps fan since day one, attending his first game at the Capital Centre in 1974. His interest in the Caps has grown over the decades and included time as a season ticket holder. He has been a journalist covering the team for 10+ years, primarily focusing on analysis, analytics and prospect development.
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6 Responses to Ovechkin’s Hit on Mark Pysyk Draws Ire From Panthers Head Coach Bob Boughner

  1. Diane Doyle says:

    Can we officially be paranoid about a potential Ovi suspension? (Granted, it’s been a while since he’s been suspended but they still consider past history even if it’s been over 18 months)

  2. J says:

    Nope. Boughner is Pathetic jackass. He should be happy the refs gifted him that win last night after caps climbed all the way back and stole momentum. Taking shots at OV only a pathetic LOSER COACH would do

  3. John Davis says:

    Dam, didn’t see any protests from Panthers coaches or fans after John Matheson slammed Elias Petterrsson to the ice in the Panthers – Canucks game. Guess its ok for Panther players to do it to other teams (and I’m not saying Matheson is a dirty player but that slam was). The hit before it was clean but to take a player who’s off-balance and slam him to the ice is callous! Pettersson is still in concussion protocol for at least two more games (one of them Washington).

  4. Even Brad Marchand thinks thats a clean hit

  5. Rob B. says:

    Please, dont turn the nhl into a game of pussies!!! What really needs to be done is the guys need to go to LA to pursue their acting careers….. play the game and quit pretending and acting when on the receiving end who wants to win a game because of acting to be hurt, win it the real way or go find another career!!!@

  6. OMG. If you want to play in a no contact league it’s 1130 pm on Thursday nights.

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