Oleksiak Suspended Three Games For Elbowing Alexeyev In Head

The Washington Capitals saw another player go down with injury after Alex Alexeyev took an elbow to the head from Jamie Oleksiak in Friday’s 4-1 win over the Seattle Kraken, and the NHL Department of Player Safety responded.

Oleksiak has been suspended three games for his illegal hit to the head on the Capitals blueliner. Meanwhile, Alexeyev’s status remains up in the air, but it appears the team could be recalling a defenseman as the Hershey Bears brought up Michael Kim from the South Carolina Stingrays for their Saturday game.

At 9:48 of the second period, Alexeyev was in the offensive zone when Oleksiak elbowed him in the head. Alexeyev went down hard and was bleeding from the face. After trainers attended to the 23-year-old, he left the game and did not return.

Upon review, Jamie Oleksiak assessed a match penalty for this hit on Alexander Alexeyev.

You can talk about intent or Oleksiak's height, but bottom line is this kind of hit can't be in the game. Major is the correct call. pic.twitter.com/zNeR4XX1pt

— Emerald City Hockey (@EmeraldCityHky) December 10, 2022

Oleksiak received a match penalty, which sent Washington to a five-minute power play. The Capitals got the game-winner on that opportunity, courtesy of Marcus Johansson.

Alexeyev recorded his first NHL point in the victory, which was the team’s third in a row. Washington is back in action on Sunday, as the Capitals head north to face the Winnipeg Jets.