It's probably a matter of perspective when discussing Alex Ovechkin's hit on Sergei Gonchar during Pittsburgh's 5-3 win on Friday night. The hit, which resulted in Gonchar leaving the game with an undisclosed injury, appeared as if it were a knee-on-knee hit, while the Capitals' superstar was issued a two-minute minor for tripping.Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma would not offer any information regarding the severity of Gonchar's injury, but the tone of his voice and his facial expressions weren't exactly promising if you're the Penguins.
Gonchar already missed significant time this season due to a shoulder injury suffered in the preseason, while his loss would be a sizable blow to a power play unit that has already been inconsistent at its best this postseason.
"Yeah, it was probably knee on knee," said Ovechkin. "I tried to hit him with my shoulder and he just moved left into the same spot. I don't know what's going to happen. I wanted to hit him, but I don't want hurt him, especially knee on knee."
Meanwhile, on the Pittsburgh side...
Bylsma was asked if he would openly campaign or petition for the league to step in and suspend Ovechkin prior to Game 5 on Saturday night in Washington.
"We don't have to do anything," said Bylsma. "The league reviews all hits and all situations."
"We've all probably seen the replay, and I think it was knee cap on knee cap. The league reviews these things and they'll take care of it as they see fit."
Penguins defenseman Brook Oprik, who was involved in a highlight reel collision with Ovechkin on Wednesday night, also weighed in:
"I mean, you can run guys, and guys are fair game, but the guy takes strides every time and leaves his feet a lot of times,'' said Orpik. "To us, we got the feeling he's really trying to hurt guys at times.''
Aside from the incident involving Gonchar, it was a relatively quiet night for the Capitals dynamic forward, as Game 4 was the first time Ovechkin did not score a goal in this series, while the Penguins limited him to just two shots on goal -- an unheard of number for Ovechkin, who seemingly averages nine shots per game in his sleep.
"They get the last change and they did a good job," said Boudreau. "They were desperate down here. Alex is only human, he can't be unbelievable every night and if you take analogies of baseball players, they don't hit home runs all the time, they can go eight games and then they'll get three and everyone's back on the bandwagon. Alex is a good player ... he's a great player. He just had one of those nights where he's not going to get three goals."
The league won't have much time to review the incident, seeing as how the two teams square off in less than 24 hours in Washington. While it's extremely doubtful that the league will actually suspend Ovechkin for Game 5, it probably shouldn't be ruled out, seeing as how the NHL's wheel of discipline has been spinning wildly out of control for much of the postseason, deeming certain borderline hits suspension worthy, while seemingly overlooking others.
Alex Ovechkin Photos
MONTREAL - JANUARY 24: Eastern Conference All-Star Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals competes in the 'Scotiabank NHL Fan Fav Breakaway Challenge' during the Honda NHL Superskills competition as part of the 2009 NHL All-Star weekend on January 24, 2009 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images)
Dave Sandford, Getty Images
WASHINGTON - MARCH 27: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates his first period goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 27, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Bruce Bennett, Getty Images
WASHINGTON - MARCH 27: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals checks Matt Smaby #32 of the Tampa Bay Lightning into the boards during a NHL hockey game on March 27, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/NHLI via Getty Images)
Mitchell Layton, NHLI / Getty Images
RALEIGH, NC - MARCH 21:Alexander Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals skates hard for position during a NHL game against the Carolina Hurricanes on March 21, 2009 at RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
Gregg Forwerck, NHLI / Getty Images
PHILADELPHIA - MARCH 12: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals skates in towards the crease against Danny Briere #48 and Martin Biron #43 of the Philadelphia Flyers on March 12, 2009 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)
Len Redkoles, NHLI / Getty Images
PHILADELPHIA - MARCH 12: A young male fan holds up a sign for Alex Ovechkin during the pregame warm ups at a NHL game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Washington Capitals on March 12, 2009 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)
Len Redkoles, NHLI / Getty Images
BOSTON - FEBRUARY 28: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals during warm-up against the Boston Bruins at the TD Banknorth Garden on February 28, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
Steve Babineau, NHLI / Getty Images
SUNRISE, FL - FEBRUARY 15: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals sits on the bench during a break in the action against the Florida Panthers at the Bank Atlantic Center on February 15, 2009 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)
Eliot J. Schechter, NHLI / Getty Images
NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 03: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on February 3, 2009 in Newark, New Jersey. The Capitals defeated the Devils 5-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Jim McIsaac, Getty Images
MONTREAL - JANUARY 24: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals skates during the Honda NHL Superskills competition as part of the 2009 NHL All-Star weekend on January 24, 2009 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Mike Stobe, Getty Images
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-09-2009 @ 1:08AM
bm92b said...
The league office should be held accountable for what happened tonight. This season Ovechkin has tried to hurt players repeatedly with illegal hits -- how many times have you see him take four or five strides or leave his feet or both before he initiates contact? -- but no penalties were called.
The league needs to ask itself this: Does it really want to hitch its future to an incredibly dumb athlete who has no real marketing value other than his ability to score goals?
Reply
5-09-2009 @ 3:11AM
jdramz said...
Earlier this season OV tried to take Geno Malkins Head off with his stick and he has tried to Hit Crosby this season but was unable to catch him. Truth is OV is a dirty Player but the league seems to overlook it, because he is the league Poster Boy. So he will do it till he kills somebody out there, and then Maybe this Garage league will step in. But dont look for it too soon.
Reply
5-09-2009 @ 7:12AM
SicilianCharmer said...
The fact that he is coming at full speed and then leaves his feet is obvious he is trying to injure the other player.
Reply
5-09-2009 @ 9:08AM
dave said...
OV is the most overrated player in hockey. Hes dirty and he knew Gonchar was killin the Caps and they were going to lose this series if they didnt try to hurt a prmier player on the Pens.Its going to be tough without Gonchar but karma will bite the most over rated , overly hyped player in hockey in the ass
Reply
5-09-2009 @ 9:26AM
mrhunter500 said...
Ovechkin should get at least a game suspension and at least $25,000.00 in fines. He has played like this since day one and needs to learn a lesson. If the league doesn't do anything then I call on Orpik to do anything he can, whenever he can, it would be league approved. Hit him, slash him, trip him, elbow him, and picklefork that dirty bastard.
Reply
5-09-2009 @ 9:29AM
runnr1 said...
Ovech is a skilled but dirty player. The replay clearly shows he was standing still and took a run at Gonchar timing it so that it was behind the puck. He threw his knee toward Gonchar. If it wasn't a markee player he would be suspended. If you watch him he is always lining people up without regard to the actually play of the game, only to inflick pain and injury. It's too bad cause he is a good player. He just doesn't have any class.
Reply
5-09-2009 @ 12:19PM
eddiehnry said...
The fact is...Ovechkin has learned "dirty playing"
from Mr.*****************Brashear
Reply
5-09-2009 @ 12:37PM
Mark said...
Tell me about the cross check in the face of the caps goalie that led to the winning goal in game 3 or maybe the fact that a Penguin had both feet in the goal crease before the puck was in the net.
Hockey is a game of hitting and speed. You can not intentionally line up your knee with someone elses. Pittsburgh talks about how tought they are but they are the biggest whiners in the NHL starting with Crosby and ending with Lemieux.
Get some Pittsburgh if your men enough.
Reply
5-09-2009 @ 7:01PM
runnr1 said...
or the cross check that put Orpik into Flower before your one goal last night. Your star palyer is a cheap shot artest admit it
5-09-2009 @ 11:19PM
fcj526 said...
you must be from the dirty DC area with all the rest of the crap
5-09-2009 @ 1:12PM
Marshall Lomazow said...
He is a complete jerk. I saw a special on him on one of the TV shows. He also feels he has the right to drive his cars at an ubsafe speed. He is really a menace. Its sad he is going to be one of the best players ever. How can you root for this jerk. Go Pittsburgh.
Reply
5-09-2009 @ 1:51PM
claytor said...
Lol, look at the crybaby Pens fans coming out of the woodwork. Wtf were you when Sindy was punching ballsacks?
Jack-a-lacking off to that Super Marioz! poster on your wall, of course.
Riddle me this...why in the hell would the best goal scorer IN THE LEAGUE put his own knee out there like that?
Oh, and he didnt really leave his feet, unless the guy can literally float, because uh, he lifts his leg, you know, the one that slain poor Sergei! No Sergei, dont die!!! immediately backwards after the contact. So im guessing he can glide for milliseconds? Watch the f'n replay, without jaded eyes, then whine. Christ, only thing worse than a Rangers fan...a Penguins one.
Reply
5-09-2009 @ 3:07PM
lindasesko said...
You are not a fan you are a fanantic.Ovechkin is a skilled player,but he is dirty and that takes away from his ability.Im a fan a Pens fan,so what goes around comes around.LETS GO PENS
5-09-2009 @ 4:53PM
eddiehnry said...
Hey Scumbag
Go **ck off
5-09-2009 @ 5:25PM
Joe said...
Hey Claytor,
speaking of whiner's,did you hear your big baby coach whinning about the penalties in game 3? Think Alexandria had a few tissues in his hand after that game too. If your team weren't so dirty, maybe they would have less penalties. Hope Mr. Malkin put that piece of SH*T in his place. BTW, the only thing worse than a philthy fan, is a dumb Craps fan!
5-09-2009 @ 2:10PM
shawncsh said...
Dirty hit. Only way to describe it. Pens will be man enough to keep their cool and take the series.
Reply
5-09-2009 @ 2:40PM
brad said...
i'm not a pens fan. i'm not a caps fan. i'm a hockey fan. i don't think he did this on pupose. when you're that competetive and have that much passion, you don't always think things through to the end. that said, it did happen and in my opinion, he should be suspended. intentional or not, it was a dirty hit and should be treated as such.
Reply
5-09-2009 @ 2:52PM
shummey327 said...
Plain and simple. Ovechkin is a dirty player and needs to be suspended and fined. all YINZ Caps fans don't know hockey. It was an illegal hit. So learn the game
Reply
5-09-2009 @ 3:03PM
lindasesko@aol.com said...
people like you are not fans you are fanatics.Ovechkin is a great hockey player its just to bad he has to be dirty.I am a fan and a pens fan at that,so what goes around comes around.LETS GO PENS
Reply
5-09-2009 @ 3:16PM
StevefromSacto said...
What am I missing here? Ovechkin planted his legs several seconds before the hit. From then on he skated in a straight line. He didn't move his leg at the last minute in order to hit Gonchar. OK, two minutes for tripping. But a deliberate attempt to injure? No way! After their player cross-checks our goalie in the neck and gets nothing for it, Pens fans are hypocrites calling for the death penalty for Ovechkin.
Reply