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TJ Oshie fined $5,000 for cross-checking Kris Letang

By Ian Oland

 1 Comment

February 3, 2018 2:21 pm

Saturday morning, the NHL announced it had fined Capitals forward TJ Oshie for an incident he had with Kris Letang during the Caps’ 7-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins Friday night.

According to the Department of Player Safety, Oshie will be docked $5,000, “the most allowed by the CBA,” for cross-checking.

With 20 seconds left to play in the second period, Oshie delivered what he thought was a clean shoulder-to-shoulder hit to Kris Letang along the boards. Instead, a referee blocked Brian Dumoulin’s pass from arriving, causing Oshie to hit Letang without the puck.

Letang, who likely thought he was interfered with, did not take kindly to Oshie’s big bodycheck and a melee broke out. Letang first threw a punch at Oshie, who a month ago returned from his fourth-documented concussion, in the back of the head. Oshie responded with an elbow to Letang’s face.

As Letang fell, Oshie then delivered a cross-check to the shoulder or neck of the Pens defenseman.

The two would continue to paw at each other. Oshie dropped his gloves to fight, but Letang, who arguably started the altercation, did not reciprocate.

Oshie received a two-minute minor penalty for cross-checking while Letang received a minor for roughing.

Video: @TarikNBCS

“I agree it’s a penalty, but I don’t look down and target,” Oshie said after practice. “First of all, I don’t hit his head. I don’t know what replay or secret angle they had. I got him in back of the trap or the neck. It’s hard to figure out what you’re going to be fined or suspended for and what you’re not.”

The altercation was one of several controversial plays during the game.

Tom Wilson was given a two-minute minor in the second period for roughing Ian Cole. Cole’s skates hit the boards as Wilson delivered the hit, causing the Pens skater to drop his level. Wilson would strike Cole in the face. NBC Sports Washington’s Craig Laughlin said it was a “reputation call” on Wilson. “I can’t believe it. Nor can Barry Trotz,” Laughlin said.

Ryan Reaves also took a cheap shot at Alex Ovechkin during the first period. The Pens’ goon hit the Caps captain in front of the net when he didn’t have the puck.

Oshie’s fine will go to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund. It largely equates to a slap on the wrist.

Full RMNB Coverage of Caps at Penguins

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