Alex Ovechkin’s gap-toothed smile appeared to get a little wider during the Washington Capitals’ 3-2 shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, Saturday.
With 16:22 remaining in the third period, Ovechkin was high-sticked in the mouth by Blackhawks defenseman Louis Crevier as the two collided near the cornerboards. The NHL’s all-time goals leader fell to the ice in pain before slowly skating off, doubled over, to the bench. There was no call on the play.
The X account @capsreplays posted the highlights on social media.
Ovechkin did not appear to miss a shift, but was furious with NHL referee Kendrick Nicholson when he returned to the ice, having an animated conversation with the official after the next stoppage in play. Ovechkin held up his lip, presumably showing off his missing chiclet.
“How can you miss that?” Monumental Sports Network’s Joe Beninati lip-read Ovechkin as saying.
When Ovechkin returned to the bench, he showed off the damage to his mouth to head athletic trainer Jason Serbus, which was caught on the Monumental Sports Network telecast.
The Capitals captain later got his revenge, giving Alex Vlasic a two-handed slash.
He’d also draw a tripping penalty on Wyatt Kaiser with 12:33 remaining.
Ovechkin lost his first tooth on October 5, 2007, in a game against the Atlanta Thrashers, his third season in the NHL. Ovechkin absorbed a high stick, and the remaining piece was yanked out after the game. He received 14 stitches, but opted to keep the gap.
“It makes me look hot,” Ovechkin said to the Washington Post’s Dan Steinberg. “Girls like it. Like a warrior.”
He also sustained additional damage to his smile during the Capitals’ Stanley Cup championship run in 2018.
