Ovechkin Lays Out Erik Karlsson Welcoming Him To The Rivalry

Erik Karlsson, despite his many years in the National Hockey League, was embroiled in the Caps/Pens rivalry for the first time. His initiation into this longstanding feud, however, came at the hands of none other than Capitals' captain, Alex Ovechkin.

The pivotal moment occurred during the second period of the game, with the Penguins already commanding a 2-0 lead. Ovechkin, a master of sparking his team's spirit, attempted to do just that by delivering a thunderous hit to Karlsson at center ice. Ovechkin seized the opportunity as Karlsson's focus was on the puck, delivering a powerful check as Karlsson crossed the center ice, effectively taking the defenseman out of the play.

Yet, the bone-jarring collision also sent Ovechkin off balance, temporarily knocking him out of the action. To Karlsson's credit, he promptly regained his footing after absorbing the impact. Unfortunately for Ovechkin and his team, the dramatic hit failed to rekindle their performance. The Penguins clinched a convincing victory in the first showdown between these bitter rivals, finishing with a resounding 4-0 final score.

As seen on hockeyfeed