Lambert, Islanders Not Happy With Ovechkin Hit On Pageau, Rip Non-Call

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin injected some life into his team in the second period with a big hit on Jean-Gabriel Pageau, which several of his Capitals teammates agreed was the turning point that led to a rally form a 3-0 deficit and an ultimate 4-3 overtime win over the New York Islanders. However, New York saw it differently, and wasn't at all happy with the outcome.

Islanders head coach Lane Lambert, who was a Washington assistant coach back when Barry Trotz was still in D.C., was adamant that Ovechkin's hit should have been a penalty.

"Very surprised," Lambert said, via NYI Hockey Now's Stefen Rosner. "Charging, boarding, whatever it might be. He took steps, and we definitely should have been on the power play."

Brock Nelson wanted a penalty on the play, while Noah Dobson believed that Ovechkin hit Pageau while he was in a vulnerable position, via Rosner.

Ovechkin's hit came just before the halfway mark of the second period after a Capitals power play, as the 37-year-old went after Pageau with the puck in the corner. He glided into the hit and intended to go shoulder-on-shoulder. Ovechkin, who stands at 6-3, 238 pounds, sent Pageau, who is 5-11, 185 pounds, hard to the ice. 

The hit was reviewed for a major penalty, but there was no call on the play, as it was deemed a clean hockey hit. Ovechkin did not take heavy strides before checking Pageau, nor did he leaves his feet to initiate the contact. Pageau was slow to get up and left for a bit before returning later on, and both also caught up after the play and were smiling as they exchanged words when Pageau returned.

Ovechkin also had four more hits and an assist en route to the comeback victory, which puts Washington four points clear of the Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins in the playoff race.