Brooks Laich and Alex Ovechkin had been teammates for nearly ten years with the Washington Capitals, and now as the team looks like a favorite to win the Stanley Cup, the two are being split.
Laich was dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs late Sunday in a deal that sent Daniel Winnik to the Capitals. Shortly after word broke about the deal, Washington's captain took to Twitter to wish his longtime friend the best.
Me and u together since my 1st year..We make this team together! Im gonna miss u bro good luck to u!Gonna miss u! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/feKvUGV6TK
— Alex Ovechkin (@ovi8) February 29, 2016
After playing one game for the Ottawa Senators during the 2003-04 season, Laich played his next 742 alongside Ovechkin in Washington, and was long a fan favorite at Verizon Center.
Thanks to @brookslaich for representing the #Caps with class and pride for a dozen years. pic.twitter.com/TEAXjEqYLL
— Washington Capitals (@washcaps) February 29, 2016
With his $4.5 million cap hit limiting the Capitals' options both this season and next, the 32-year-old now moves from the first-place team in the NHL to the last-place Leafs - but some believe he may be as big a part of a Washington championship run regardless of where he's playing.
If the Capitals win this whole thing, they better give Brooks Laich a ring and his day with the Cup.
— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) February 29, 2016
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In what may be a preview of a postseason series, Corey Perry is having a historic night for the Anaheim Ducks as they face the Pacific-leading Los Angeles Kings on Sunday.
After scoring goals in the first and second period to keep the game tied, Perry capped off his ninth career hat trick to give his team a 3-2 lead - and passed Paul Kariya for the second-most three-goal games in Ducks history.
It's raining hats for Corey Perry @AnaheimDucks pic.twitter.com/vOkQyY6PaR
— Steve Fryer (@SteveFryer) February 29, 2016
Perry's night wasn't finished there - he would pick up an assist on a David Perron goal under five minutes later that increased the Ducks' lead to two. The 31-year-old's outburst comes after a four-game pointless drought, with all four of those games against non-playoff teams.
He needs four more tricks to catch arguably the greatest Ducks player of all time.
Most Regular-Season Hat Tricks, @AnaheimDucks History:
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 29, 2016
13 – Teemu Selanne
9 – Corey Perry
8 – Paul Kariya
(via @EliasSports)
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