Alexander Ovechkin Receives 3-Game Suspension for Nasty Hit on Zbynek Michalek

Washington Capitals star Alexander Ovechkin has been suspended for three games for his hit on Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Zbynek Michalek on Sunday, according to Katie Carrera of the Washington Post.

The Capitals lost to the Penguins 4-3 in overtime. After the game, Ovechkin told Carrera that he didn't want to talk about the hit.

What Does It Mean?

Ovechkin's suspension could not come at a worse time, as two of Washington's next three games are against the Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers, two top Eastern Conference foes. The Capitals will have to attempt to beat both of them without their top goal scorer.

Beyond that, this is yet another example of how the NHL is serious about cracking down on big hits that have the potential to cause head injuries. Ovechkin put his shoulder right into Michalek's head and smacked him right up against the boards. Say what you will about old-time hockey, but these kinds of hits are simply too dangerous to be allowed.

This is not the first suspension of Ovechkin's career, for the record. Per Carrera, he got two 2-game suspensions back in the 2009-2010 season, both of them for dangerous hits.

What Happens Next?

I'm assuming there won't be any further disciplinary action against Ovechkin, but the NHL is going to expect him to have learned his lesson. If he doesn't deliver any more dirty hits this season, the message sent by his three-game suspension will have stuck.

Of course, the NHL isn't sending this message just to Ovechkin. It's sending it to the rest of the league, yet another reminder that the league's disciplinarians are on the lookout for vicious hits.

If Ovechkin's hit is any indication, the league hasn't quite got the message yet. Another reminder can't hurt.