Capitals Rally to Defeat Blackhawks in OT 3-14-10

In a game many Chicago Blackhawks fans thought was over early, it was the Washington Capitals fans who were pleasantly surprised with the final outcome when the Caps rallied back from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Hawks in OT 4-3. The win, however, came at a loss for Ovechkin, who was ejected from the game after a hit on Blackhawks’ Brian Campbell, which resulted in a 5-minute Boarding, a-10 minute Game Misconduct, and Ovechkin’s eventual ejection.

Blackhawks Captain, Jonathan Toews, scored twice in the first period of play, putting the Hawks ahead of the Caps 2-0. Returning from the first period intermission, Hawks John Madden scored on even play to put the Caps solidly behind 3-0. Although the Caps fought for the entire period, they were still unable to catch-up to one of the NHL’s best teams.

Whatever Bruce Boudreau said to inspire the team during that second intermission, the players surely responded by coming out stronger and more focused. Things began to unravel for the Hawks in the third, when Defensemen Jordan Hendry earned a double minor for high sticking, sending the Caps to a 4-minute Power Play. Capitals Brooks Laich took advantage of the situation, scoring the first goal of the game with assists by Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Green. Backstrom’s assist was his 55th of the season. Nicklas Backstrom and Eric Fehr would go onto to score two more times to tie the game at 3-3, sending it to OT.

Once again, it would be Backstrom who showed the team what it takes to persevere in the face of adversity when his wrister sent the puck into the net at 3:10, giving the Caps 2 points and the win. The team now sits at first in the league with 101 points overall.

If you follow NHL hockey, you know that the General Managers spring meetings concluded just days ago, and the issue of head shots were discussed. A new rule penalizing blind-side hits to the head was sent to the league's competition committee, where it will then head to the NHL Board of Governors for final approval. If ratified, the rule would take effect next season. The rule states: "A lateral, back pressure or blindside hit to an opponent where the head is targeted and or is the principal point of contact is not permitted. A violation of the above will result in a minor or major penalty and shall be reviewed for possible supplemental discipline."

In this Caps fans humble opinion, if you watch the pushing motion as it begins, Ovechkin is leaning to the left, as is Campbell. Campbell looks to his left where Ovechkin is skating towards him, and as he follows, they both lean simultaneously to the right. It is as if they are synchronized, and the momentum of the shoving motion is enhanced as inertia takes Campbell toward the boards. He does tuck his right shoulder as he approaches the boards, which to me, provides further evidence that he knew he was going to hit, and took evasive action.

Will Ovechkin's "hit" constitute further punishment from the NHL beyond the scope of what was handed down into today? Stay tuned…