Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom took a brutal high stick to the face from Boston Bruins forward and Game 3 hero Craig Smith.
No penalty was called on the play despite it appearing to be obvious. The Capitals could have used the extra man advantage. Although they did get two in the opening period and came away with nothing.
Referees elected to swallow the whistle, but Backstrom sure felt Smith’s stick.
After the first 20 minutes the Capitals and Bruins remain scoreless. Boston outshot the Washington 11-4 in the period.
