Before the beginning of the Sochi Olympics, Alex Ovechkin spoke with Jill Sorenson and spoke about something strange. The Russian machine said that he would check Team Sweden center and Caps teammate Nicklas Backstrom in an Olympic game if the opportunity presented itself, but admitted that doing so would be “weird.”

On Sunday, things got super weird. Ovechkin delivered on that promise, nailing Backstrom behind the net during Russia’s opening World Cup of Hockey game against Sweden.

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Backstrom, avoided most of the hit, but then got cross-checked to the ice by Ovechkin as the two skated away.

Just a reminder: Backstrom has assisted on a majority of Ovi’s goals in the NHL and the two are BFFs.

STORYLINE TO WATCH: @washcaps teammates Ovechkin (@russiahockey) & Backstrom (@Trekronorse) go head-to-head #WCH2016 pic.twitter.com/k8KvKOZSqp

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) September 18, 2016

Headline photo: Geoff Burke