Alex Ovechkin is unusual among the NHL’s top scorers for how often he throws his body around. Sometimes that gets him into trouble with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety, but the Chicago Tribune’s Chris Kuc reports that he’ll sidestep a fine or suspension for this hit on Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson:
Ovechkin, 29, received a two-minute minor penalty for an illegal hit to the head during the game. His most recent suspension came via a three-game ban in 2012-13. The Capitals star has more than 1,000 hits since 2009-10 (when the stat’s been tracked a little bit more regularly).
It doesn’t sound like Hjalmarsson, 27, suffered an injury from that check.
Washington ended up beating the Blackhawks 3-2 last night. They face Carolina tonight.