Ovechkin sits Andrei Svechnikov DOWN during first period fisticuffs

75756A5E-120A-4932-810C-2FD980DB785E

If Alex Ovechkin never pursued hockey, he'd make a pretty good boxer.

That's exactly what the Capitals' superstar proved Monday night when young Hurricanes forward and fellow Russian Andrei Svechnikov bumped him one too many times. 

Svechnikov drops gloves with Ovechkin. Rookie mistake. #CapsCanes #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/JH4HzirTFM

— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) April 15, 2019

Ovechkin vs. Svechnikov. pic.twitter.com/TL6pIDZc8f

— Shane O'Donnell (@shane1342o) April 15, 2019

Ovechkin KO'd his countryman in just a few swift blows. While Svechnikov headed to the locker room for treatment, Ovechkin skated to the penalty box to serve his five-minute major penalty. 

And while Ovechkin showed he can more than hold his own when the gloves are dropped, it's something he hadn't done in nearly a decade. 

Ovechkin's last fight came on 12/12/2010 against Brandon Dubinsky

— JJ Regan (@JJReganNBCS) April 15, 2019

At least Svechnikov can say he joined the exclusive club of guys who have fought Ovechkin. That is, if he can remember exchanging blows with the "Great 8."

And as you might have expected, Svechnikov did not return to Monday's first round playoff game. 

Hurricanes forwards Micheal Ferland (upper body) and Andrei Svechnikov (upper body) will not return to tonight's game.

— Hurricanes PR (@CanesPR) April 16, 2019

Follow Josh Luckenbaugh and 106.7 The Fan on Twitter.