Over at Capitals weblog Japers Rink, J.P. says that “everyone is going to see what they want” within the above strike, and there’s truth in that: Ovechkin fans will say it had been a common enough perform that had an unfortunate ending, while other people will cite it as an additional instance of Ovechkin’s reckless dynamics.

Personally, I see a strike that was a) a little touch late b) from behind c) sent the recipient flying headfirst into the boards and d) came from the guy with an unfortunate monitor record of questionable hits. Under most conditions, this really is most likely a two minute minor for boarding, but Campbell’s injury complicates matters.

I know I’ll get negative comments for this, but when I add every thing up I think it is well worth a suspension. Yes, Ovechkin probably didn’t mean to accomplish it and yes, he’s a star and sure, generally this wouldn’t result in a suspension. But when any player hits an additional from behind and sends him tumbling headfirst into the boards, and that player subsequently misses the relaxation of the season, there have to become penalties. It was not a legal strike and Campbell was injured. When the name on the back again of Ovechkin’s jersey was, say, Koci, we’d be debating regardless of whether he ought to get more than five games, not whether this strike was well worth a suspension or not.

As far as I’m concerned, Ovechkin should get a light suspension – say within the two to 4 game variety. I've my doubts that Colin Campbell will concur. Ovechkin hit on Campbell