It was a costly loss for the Blue Jackets on Sunday, and that's got nothing to do with Columbus losing three straight games for the first time this season.
Phenom rookie defenseman Zach Werenski was injured early in the third period after Alex Ovechkin hit him in the corner. Here's the play:
Alex Ovechkin may have taken Zach Werenski out of commission for awhile #CBJ: pic.twitter.com/QfXKBLPlOj
— The Cannon (@cbjcannon) April 3, 2017
Here's a still of the hit, which won't sit will with those who didn't like it:
VIDÉO | Werenski quitte le match après avoir été frappé par Ovechkin: https://t.co/sn4b68mqoD #BlueJackets #Capitals pic.twitter.com/HmQY9JOOxY
— TVA Sports (@TVASports) April 3, 2017
That was the beginning of what turned into a very scrappy third period, with Ovechkin in the middle of most of it, and even Braden Holtby involved in some extracurricular activities late in the game. The question is: Did Ovie leave his feet? Was it dirty? You tell us.
The Blue Jackets offered no update on Werenski after the game, and it could be his shoulder or collarbone or head that took the brunt of the damage. Here is some reported, sort of good, news:
Told #CBJ D Zach Werenski does NOT have any fractured bones. Good news there, but doesn't necessarily rule out other long-term injuries.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) April 3, 2017
Werenski, only 19, has been an absolute beast in his freshman NHL season, and went into Sunday's game with 11 goals and 36 assists in 77 games. He played 17:26 against Washington, and was on track to log a lot more than his usual 20:57. Obviously, his loss for any portion of the playoffs would be a massive blow to Columbus' chances.
As for the Capitals, they improved to 8-1-1 in their last 10 and are putting the finishing touches on back-to-back Presidents' Trophy seasons.
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