Game 3 of the Capitals’ first round playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes may be one period old, but tempers have already flared after the Hurricanes took a 1-0 lead. Gloves were dropped…but by perhaps the least likeliest of players.
With the Hurricanes controlling play in the Capitals’ defensive zone, Carolina star rookie Andrei Svechnikov gave Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin a few quick whacks with his stick and his elder countryman countered. After a brief conversation, the two Russian stars dropped the mitts, and the contest was nowhere near close.
Absolutely dummied. pic.twitter.com/XKT09rv6yt #WSHvsCAR
— S. Delphia (@s_delphia) April 16, 2019
The Caps’ captain (who had one goal and two assists coming into Game 3) pummeled Svechnikov with about three roundhouse rights before Svechnikov was dropped to the ice, clearly dazed after three fists to the face and his head hitting the ice. The 2018 first-round pick had to be assisted off the ice with the help of team medical staff.
Ovechkin vs. Svechnikov. pic.twitter.com/TL6pIDZc8f
— Shane O’Donnell (@shane1342o) April 15, 2019
Ovechkin and Svechnikov were both given five-minute majors, with Ovechkin icing his right hand while serving his time in the sin bin.
By Michael Fleetwood