The Washington Capitals lost to the Winnipeg Jets 4-3 in overtime on Tuesday night. They may have also lost their fourth-line center, Jay Beagle, for a period of time as well.
Beagle was injured with under two minutes left in third period while protecting a Caps lead.
As Beags carried the puck out of the defensive zone and attempted to score on an empty-net, Jets defenseman Dustin Bufuglien used his stick as a weapon, slashing the defensive forward first in the ankle and then the ribs.
The result turned from a likely empty-net goal (and a Caps win) to an off target pass to TJ Oshie. The Jets would tie the game in the final minute and beat the Capitals in overtime.
Byfuglien would receive a two-minute minor for slashing, giving the Caps a late-game power play, but he arguably deserved more for intent to injure.
“It’s a tough way to lose points,” head coach Barry Trotz said after the game. “I think it should have sealed the deal. I thought we should have been on the power play the whole time in overtime.”
Trotz would later insinuate that Byfuglien should have received a match penalty.
“I thought the penalty was warranted on the first slash for two minutes – the referee’s arm went up. And the second slash on Beagle that was not a hockey play. It was not a hockey play. There was no intention of getting the puck or trying to get the puck. He was already by him. At that point, we should have put it in the empty net.”
Beagle struggled to the bench and did not play in overtime. He was in a ton of pain.
Trotz did not have an update on Beagle’s condition afterwards.
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