Sunday’s game between the St Louis Blues and Washington Capitals has been surprisingly physical. Big hits punctuated the first period, including one that caused an injury to Shattenkirk, but this dirty boarding by David Backes on Karl Alzner was the worst yet.

It’s pretty simple in its dirtiness. Alzner skated to the puck at the boards. Backes lined up and hit him right in the numbers, smearing Alzner’s face into the glass.

Eric Fehr took umbrage as the whistle was called.

The Caps were awarded a five-minute power play as a result, yielding just two shots on goal.

Alzner was initially treated for a nasty cut near the eye, but he seemed alright considering how nasty that hit was.

A few minutes later, he went to the locker room for stitches.

Nothing to argue about on major penalty to Backes for boarding #Caps Alzner, other than length of suspension.

— Alan May (@MayHockeyNBCS) February 1, 2015

Full RMNB Coverage of Caps vs Blues