Video: Alexander Ovechkin Fights Brandon Dubinsky

I'm not sure if you can call this the first National Hockey League "fight" that Ovechkin has ever been in - he got into a tussle with Mike Richards and was pushed around by Paul Gaustad - but it is the first time he's ever legitimately squared up with another player with the intention of throwing 'em, and then actually going through with it. No Matt Bradley to stop you this time, Ovie.

Early tweets are arguing that Ovechkin lost the fight, but I don't think that matters as much as what the action represented. Ovechkin has been in a desperate struggle to score points, and the Capitals have lost two in a row and are en route to their third straight loss tonight against the New York Rangers. Good for Ovie for standing up for his players and his team. That's the diligent work of a captain.