Alex Ovechkin Stunned by Carolina Hurricanes Hits as Washington Capitals Struggle in Playoffs Game 3

“Ovi’s had a physical night today,” said the official as clips of the 39-year-old getting physically outmatched played on the screen. At 39, the Washington Capitals captain is still a force to be reckoned with on the ice. However, the Carolina Hurricanes seemed to have found an answer in their second-round playoff series. After taking a loss from the Caps in Game 2, the Canes are back on top of the series.

Besides outplaying Washington’s defense, one of the most surprising things about the series so far has been the physicality. While the Capitals are known for their physicality, the Hurricanes have matched and at times surpassed their opponents with hits. Tonight, they once again took the heat to the Caps and their most prolific goalscorer, Ovechkin. And there was one defenseman who almost single-handedly foiled Ovi’s game on the ice.

If you’re wondering who, then it was none other than the 6’5, 228 lb Brent Burns. The 40-year-old repeatedly appeared in the clip B/R Open Ice posted. From a “high stick that wasn’t called” to shoulder charges, the defenseman out-muscled Alex Ovechkin throughout the game. In fact, blocking Ovi seemed like a part of their strategy, with the announcer saying, “Ovechkin has certainly been a target for the Hurricanes in this game.

Ovi's been going through it this game… pic.twitter.com/XYgJEPeqwc

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 10, 2025

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