Ovechkin: Wilson's 7-game suspension is 'kind of a joke'

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin believes the NHL's Department of Player Safety was too harsh on teammate Tom Wilson for his hit on Boston Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo.

Ovi said Sunday that Wilson's seven-game suspension is "kind of a joke," mainly because the play wasn't ruled a penalty on the ice.

Here's a look at the hit:

"I think when you play hockey you have to be ready for that, and you have to know who's on the ice," Ovechkin added.

The suspension is the fifth of Wilson's career.

Carlo was hospitalized but has since been released. Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy said Sunday that the blue-liner is "going to be out for a while."

Ovechkin's comments come three days after he was fined by the league for spearing the Bruins' Trent Frederic in the groin.