The Washington Capitals beat up on the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night in more ways than one.
In one of the rare “Rivalry Night” games that featured actual rivals, the Caps sent a loud statement with a resounding 4-0 win over the Metropolitan Division foes. In addition to lighting up the Pens on the scoreboard, Washington also tuned up Pittsburgh with its fists.
The rough stuff began in earnest in the first period, thanks to Washington’s Tom Wilson and Pittsburgh’s Zach Sill. The two dropped the gloves right after a faceoff, and Wilson pounded on Sill, throwing a slew of heavy haymakers.
In the third period, Michael Latta took issue with the Penguins, specifically Steve Downie, as the two engaged in a scrap that left Downie with a bloody nose.
Things really started to get out of hand late in the third period when Alex Ovechkin rubbed out Christian Ehrhoff along the boards, sending the Pittsburgh defenseman to the ice. Ehrhoff was injured on the play, and shortly after the whistle blew, everyone on the ice gathered along the boards for some extracirricular activities.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp2VknTS0TE
The Capitals likely are hoping this sort of emotional response — and ending a four-game losing streak — will help them get back in the race for the Metro Division lead as they sit six points behind the first-place Islanders.
Thumbnail photo via Alex Brandon/The Associated Press
