Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby are going viral for what’s being termed a classy postgame hug they exchanged after the Penguins’ 5-3 victory over the Capitals.
Except I’m not quite sure that’s what happened.
Let’s break it down.
Ovechkin and Crosby were on the ice during the final shift of the game. After a faceoff with 24 seconds remaining, Ovechkin shoves Crosby in the back. Crosby responds by poking Ovechkin in the right knee, which is a very interesting and targeted place to go after someone.
When the buzzer sounds, Ovechkin makes a b-line towards Crosby and shoves the Penguins captain into the boards. A referee tries to break it up.
This is where things are being interpreted differently. To this blogger, Ovi puts Crosby in a modified headlock and animatedly says something into his ear. What those sweet nothings are is unknown, but if I had to guess, the words are not nice. Crosby responds back, eliciting a smile from the Russian machine. Ovechkin responds “okay.” The headlock is let go. The two players go their separate ways.
After the game, Ovechkin was asked what was said. He said Crosby congratulated him.
Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby had a brief discussion following the game.
Ovechkin: "He just said, 'Congrats, man.' " #ALLCAPS #LetsGoPens
— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) March 13, 2019
Crosby, in the Penguins locker room, was not asked about the incident.
"It's a special moment. You don't see that happen very often."
Sidney Crosby speaks with media about Evgeni Malkin's 1,00th point and more inside PPG Paints Arena following the #Penguins' 5-3 victory over the #Capitals.
📹 via @PghBradford pic.twitter.com/ABMJVzKTH6
— DK Pittsburgh Sports (@DKPghSports) March 13, 2019
Ovechkin scored his 1200th career point during the game while Crosby scored two goals. The Penguins won the season series three games to one.
The two superstars do have a history of run-ins. During a game earlier in the season, Ovechkin challenged Crosby to a fight from the Capitals bench, according to NBCSN’s Pierre McGuire.
“We got action here,” McGuire said. According to McGuire, the transcript went something like this:
Crosby, to Ovechkin: Why don’t you fight him?
Ovechkin, to Crosby: Why don’t you fight me? Stop talking.
One thing is known for sure, the Penguins organization did congratulate Ovechkin on the jumbotron.
Best part of the game for us at PPG… pic.twitter.com/RDsM0P7jVj
— Bee Gee (@smurfmonster) March 13, 2019
Respect, @penguins👌 pic.twitter.com/rgQtOhG5JZ
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) March 13, 2019
But oh to be a fly on the wall sweat droplet on Ovechkin’s face shield during this conversation.
Game recognize game. #CapsPens pic.twitter.com/K3wWacnOT6
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) March 13, 2019
What do you think was said?
