NEW YORK — Two-time MVP Alex Ovechkin was suspended by the NHL on Monday for the Capitals’ next two games because of a reckless hit.
The forward drove Chicago’s Brian Campbell into the boards from behind in the first period Sunday and received a major penalty and a game misconduct. Ovechkin leads the NHL in points with 96.
“There’s nothing I can do right now. He just fell and this happens,” Ovechkin said after the game.
Because he also was suspended for two games earlier this season, Ovechkin is considered a repeat offender under the collective bargaining agreement. He will forfeit more than $232,000 in salary.
Ovechkin was suspended Dec. 1 for two games for a knee-to-knee hit on Carolina defenseman Tim Gleason.
Ovechkin can return Saturday at Tampa Bay.
Campbell, out with what the Blackhawks are calling an upper-body injury, will miss the team’s three-game road trip that starts Wednesday in Anaheim, Calif.
He is a key defenseman for the Blackhawks, who are second overall in the Western Conference — two points behind San Jose.
Footnote.
Stars center Mike Modano (13 goals, 26 points) is out indefinitely after surgery to remove his appendix.
• Anaheim’s Teemu Selanne has a slight left shoulder sprain, and teammate Ryan Getzlaf has inflammation in his sprained left ankle. Both players are day to day.
The Associated Press
