After playing in only eight NHL games during the regular season, Alex Alexeyev seemed to experience everything all at once during the Washington Capitals’ postseason opener on Monday.
Replacing defenseman Martin Fehervary, who is out for the year due to a knee injury, Alexeyev played 14 impactful minutes in the Capitals’ intense 3-2 overtime win over the Montreal Canadiens. The Capitals excelled with Alexeyev on the ice at five-on-five, too, seeing positive differentials in shot attempts (plus-6), scoring chances (plus-7), and high-danger chances (plus-5).
But Alexeyev’s work didn’t end when the final buzzer sounded. He was busy late into the night.
With 2:38 remaining in the third period, Canadians center Jake Evans cleared the puck out of the Habs defensive zone. As he did, the blade of his stick rode up Alexeyev’s, and the follow-through struck Alexeyev in the mouth.
The 25-year-old Russian rearguard immediately left the ice bleeding from the mouth; a photo later revealing he lost several front teeth at the top of his mouth. Alexeyev returned to the bench during overtime but did not play.
After the game, Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery revealed that Alexeyev was in need of “significant dental work” that night. A member of the Capitals Ice Crew, Michael Arant, learned firsthand of Alexeyev’s toughness when he went out to clean the ice during the overtime intermission.
“We went out to do our normal ice maintenance before the Zambonis, and they were lying on the ice near where he took the high stick,” Arant said. “We picked them up and gave them to the medical team.”
Arant shared a photo of two of Alexeyev’s teeth on a towel.
“I took the photo during the intermission before overtime,” he said.
Despite the grisly injury, Alexeyev appears no worse for wear. He spotted watching part of the team’s optional practice on Tuesday from the bench. After waiting all season for his chance, he isn’t letting two lost teefers (at the least) keep him out of Game 2.
“Should be good to go for tomorrow,” Carbery said. “Late night for him, but he should be good.”
