NHL Suspends Alex Ovechkin Two Games For Knee-on-Knee Hit

Now that we know Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin isn't seriously hurt, attention could rightfully turn towards the NHL.

It was the league that had to make a decision. They let Ovechkin skate on two dangerous hits in recent months, one during last season's playoff series against Pittsburgh, and one last week against Buffalo. A third, which happened during a game at Carolina Monday night, left Ovechkin unable to escape supplementary discipline.

After his dangerous knee-on-knee hit on Carolina defenseman Tim Gleason, it became evident the league needed to do something. They responded by giving Ovechkin a two-game suspension.

He issued a statement that was distributed by the Capitals.

"I regret that this has happened," Ovechkin said in a statement released by the Capitals Public Relations department. "I'm glad that Tim wasn't injured because I never ever want to see anyone get hurt. I am disappointed to miss these games and I can't wait to get back on the ice next week to help my team."

Ovechkin is a special player, the rare kind with immeasurable skill but who treats every shift as his last. However, no one else in the NHL would get away with such a blatant kneeing, and neither should Ovechkin. In order for anyone to take league discipline seriously, superstars have to face the music when they do something against the rules.

For what it's worth, Ovechkin says he's not changing.

"How can you tell me you just have to stop playing how you play?" Ovechkin said. "If I stop playing how I play I won't be that type of player. I play risky. I don't want to try dirty hits to make people get hurt, but sometimes people turn back or turn right away so I don't have time to realize to stop. It's pretty hard when you are skating fast and the guys just turn. What can you do?"

He will miss games Thursday and Saturday, and will return to the Capitals lineup Monday, when they face Tampa Bay.