Brian Campbell is tended to by team trainer after crashing into end boards. (Bill Smith/Getty Images)By Chris Carrano
In a possible Stanley Cup Finals preview the Chicago Blackhawks learned the hard way that no lead is safe against the Washington Capitals. And that’s without Alexander Ovechkin in the lineup. With Ovechkin in the locker room after a questionable hit on Blackhawks defenseman Brian Campbell, the Capitals rebounded from a 3-0 deficit to win 4-3 on Nicklas Backstrom’s overtime goal.
Ovechkin’s day came to an end after his fore checking attempt, or shall I say hard shove on Brian Campbell, caused him to go sliding head first into the end boards. Campbell’s day was done as well and its unclear right now as to how long he will be out of action. Ovechkin knew he would get a penalty, but he didn’t think he would be removed from the game. "I don't think it was a real good check. He just kind of fell and it was a dangerous moment. It was not a hard hit. I just wanted to push him," Ovechkin said. "I didn't hit him hard. I pushed him, but he fell bad. It probably looks bad. I thought it was going to be two minutes, but the linesman came to me and said 'Game over.'"
On the ensuing five minute power play, the Capitals almost tied the game when Alexander Semin had a short-handed breakaway attempt, but drew an interference penalty instead after crashing into Blackhawks goalie Antii Niemi. The Blackhawks would go on to score on a 5-on-3 power play, giving them a two goal lead. However, two minutes and 16 seconds was all the Capitals needed to get back in this game.
With Chicago shorthanded thanks to Jordan Hendry’s double high-sticking minor, Brooks Laich put home a rebound after Niemi stopped a shot by Mike Green at 5:29 of the third period. To add insult to injury, Colin Fraser was called for high-sticking on the play, creating a 5-on-3 for a full two minutes with the second half of Hendry's penalty still on the board.
Niemi made several big stops during the penalty kill, including a pad save to deny Backstrom off a rebound. Immediately after the two penalties expired, Backstrom cleaned up on another rebound, a Joe Corvo shot that bounced off the end boards and came back out in front of the net. Eric Fehr then tied the game when he one-timed a feed from David Steckel, giving the Capitals two goals in the span of 13 seconds, and all the momentum they needed to finish strong.
"It's a strong sign, especially now at the end of the season," Backstrom said. "We know he [Ovechkin] is a key to our team and he scores a lot of goals. We have shown that we can play, that our other key players can play, too."
Whether or not Ovechkin should be suspended for the hit is debatable. I believe the hit doesn’t warrant a suspension. If Matt Cooke isn’t going to be suspended for his malicious blindside hit on Marc Savard last week, then Ovechkin shouldn’t have to miss any playing time either. It looked like a good check gone bad and the penalty he received fit the crime.
"It's a strong sign, especially now at the end of the season," Backstrom said. "We know he [Ovechkin] is a key to our team and he scores a lot of goals. We have shown that we can play, that our other key players can play, too."
Whether or not Ovechkin should be suspended for the hit is debatable. I believe the hit doesn’t warrant a suspension. If Matt Cooke isn’t going to be suspended for his malicious blindside hit on Marc Savard last week, then Ovechkin shouldn’t have to miss any playing time either. It looked like a good check gone bad and the penalty he received fit the crime.
Information from NHL.com was used in this story.
HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT
Sean Avery walks away from Scott Hartnell
Before the New York Rangers took the ice yesterday afternoon against the Philadelphia Flyers, head coach John Tortorella told his players to, “take a rap in the head if you have to, without instigating anything.” Sean Avery got the message and that’s exactly what he did.
Avery and Hartnell came together towards the end of the second period and got the crowd excited as it looked like we were going to witness MSG’s version of Pacquaio-Clottey. Then after Hartnell threw a punch, Avery took the high road and just skated away, while Hartnell was left with his hand in the cookie jar.
Photo courtesy of Sipkin/ New York Daily News
THREE STARS OF THE NIGHT
1- Sean Avery, New York Rangers- There are other offensive stars that may be more deserving of this, but its what Avery did away from the puck, as well as with it that he gets the top honor. After being benched on Friday night, Avery played his best game of the season so far. He drew two penalties (see above), scored twice and got into the Flyers heads in a 3-1 victory for the Rangers. Avery made big hits and just did what he does best, and that’s get under his opponent’s skin.
2- Nicklas Backstrom, Washington Capitals- Backstrom had two goals and one assist in Washington’s thrilling come from behind overtime victory yesterday afternoon. Backstrom’s play as of late proves that the Caps are not a one man team. Just like a hydra, if you cut one head off, you still have two other ones to worry about and with team captain Alexander Ovechkin ejected from the game, Backstrom stepped up to the plate and delivered the game-winner.
3- Craig Anderson, Colorado Avalanche- Anderson matched a career high 48 saves in Colorado’s 5-3 win over the Dallas Stars. Despite being down two men with a 6-on-4 penalty kill, Anderson stopped a flurry of Dallas shots to hold on for the victory.
Other scores...
Nashville 3, LOS ANGELES 2
NY ISLANDERS 4, Toronto 1
Pittsburgh 2, TAMPA BAY 1
Phoenix 3, ATLANTA 2
MINNESOTA 4, St. Louis 2
ANAHEIM 4, San Jose 2
VANCOUVER 3, Calgary 1
TONIGHT'S ACTION
Boston at New Jersey 7 pm EST (Versus)
Edmonton at Columbus 7 pm EST
Detroit at Calgary 9:30 pm EST
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