Brendan Shanahan's Biggest Challenge So Far: Suspend Alex Ovechkin?

Since taking over as the NHL's dean of discipline, there have been a lot of tough decisions for Brendan Shanahan and his group in the Department of Player Safety.

Outside of dropping the ball a couple times -- most notably involving hits on Minnesota Wild players -- Shanahan and his people have done a pretty good job.

But Shanahan's biggest challenge comes Monday, when he has a hearing with Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin over an obviously illegal hit on Pittsburgh defenseman Zbynek Michalek.



No question here. Ovechkin leaves his feet, the head is the principal point of contact, and he's a repeat offender.

It's not going to be easy to suspend a star player, but Shanahan has to make a clear case here that no player is above the law as defined again and again in his suspension videos.

This should be a two-game ban. And, no, it won't affect Ovechkin's status for the All-Star Game this weekend.

Video: Alex Ovechkin is Awesome

We know Alex Ovechkin is one of the best players in the world, but a Washington Capitals team that has -- by its standards -- struggled offensively this season has almost allowed The Gr8 One to fly under the proverbial radar.

Entering play Tuesday night, Ovechkin "only" had 24 goals on the season, far off his normal pace. The Capitals are still in good playoff position, but they're not the dominant team we saw last season.

Of course, given how last season ended, maybe that isn't a bad thing.

Ovechkin ignited the home crowd at Verizon Center Tuesday, carrying his team to a 2-1 overtime win over the Islanders with a stirring game-winner.



25 goals isn't a lot for Ovechkin -- unless you're talking about a month -- but the Capitals are possibly a bigger threat in the playoffs this year because of how much better they are defensively.