Laich: Richards and Ovechkin almost squared off (?)

 By Mike G. Morreale, NHL.com, Jan. 5, 2008:

When asked about the Flyers putting their top offensive forwards on the ice in the final minutes, Boudreau said: "What goes around comes around eventually. And it will."

Perhaps that time will come Tuesday, when the Flyers visit Washington. Whether it does or not, Boudreau's remarks add some spice to what is becoming must-see hockey each time the clubs meet. Let's face it, even Capitals megastar Alex Ovechkin was this close to blowing his stack in the waning moments of the Dec. 20 game before Boudreau thought wisely to sit him down.

"In Philly, we played great, but they got lucky bounces and their goalie (Antero Niittymaki) was great; I don't know what he was eating before the game, but he stopped every shot," Ovechkin said. "It's a great rivalry and usually a great hockey game. The thing I like about playing them is that both teams are always pushing forward and the play is back and forth. There are always a lot of shots and big hits and both teams are playing with emotion. It's always fun."

"Not only do both teams go at it, but within the game there are also a lot of personal little rivalries," Laich said. "Mike Richards and Alex Ovechkin almost squared off, in fact. They have a lot of very good, young hockey players that are locked up for long term and we have the same thing. Pittsburgh is still a big rival, but Philly is really starting to reach that same intensity level."

The Capitals enter the game in second place in the Eastern Conference with 26 wins and 55 points, five better than the third-place Flyers (21 wins, 50 points).

If pre-season exhibition games count, the next fight will be Ovechkin's second...

Richards vs. Ovechkin