📸: Alan Dobbins/RMNB
Alex Alexeyev was lucky to escape a long sit in the penalty box after an early scrum with Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher.
The Capitals defender, filling in for the injured Martin Fehervary, cross-checked Gallagher in the face. Gallagher immediately pulled away, reacting in pain, but the nearest referee never raised his arm to call a penalty.
Alexeyev would not have been the first Caps player in recent memory to see postseason punishment for a high cross-check, as Nicklas Backstrom received a five-minute major and a one-game suspension for cross-checking Rich Peverley high during a 2012 first-round series against the Boston Bruins.
Backstrom’s check came in retaliation for Peverley slashing linemate Alex Ovechkin.
The first period of Game 1 was physical, with the Capitals laying several big hits immediately after puck drop. The team’s commitment to imposing their will on Montreal led to many post-whistle scrums, including the one involving Alexeyev.
The Capitals finished the first 20 minutes recording 20 hits and took 14 back from the Canadiens.
The Canadiens were eventually goaded into the rough stuff by the Capitals and paid the price for it near the end of the opening frame. Kaiden Guhle and Alex Newhook took roughing minor penalties, while only Andrew Mangiapane went to the box for the Caps.
Alex Ovechkin would score 1:36 later on the Capitals’ first power-play attempt of the series.