Capitals’ Ryan Leonard Returns After Big Hit, Then Drops Gloves in NHL Debut
Columbus, OH – Washington Capitals rookie Ryan Leonard endured a dramatic NHL debut Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, absorbing a jarring hit from Adam Fantilli before engaging in his first professional fight later in the game.Leonard, the Capitals’ 2023 first-round pick, returned to the game after undergoing concussion protocol.
Fantilli’s Hit and Immediate Fallout
Late in the first period, Leonard was leveled by a clean, legal hit from Blue Jackets’ center Adam Fantilli as he pursued a loose puck. The back of Leonard’s head struck the ice, leaving him visibly shaken.Fantilli capitalized on the play, scoring seconds later to extend Columbus’ lead to 3-0. Leonard was able to skate off the ice and down the tunnel to the locker room.
Wilson’s Response and Leonard’s Return
Capitals’ forward Tom wilson protested the hit from the bench, drawing a two-minute minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct and a ten-minute misconduct. Despite the forceful impact, Leonard returned at the start of the second period after being evaluated for a concussion, according to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan.
leonard’s First NHL Fight
Later, Leonard took a hit from Sean Kuraly which led to him dropping the gloves for his first NHL fight.
Fantilli’s Perspective
Fantilli addressed the hit during the second intermission, explaining, “I was just backchecking and the puck squirted out and he reached for it…I was reaching for it and I didn’t want to be the one to go down so I kind of followed through with it and then whent back the other way.” Asked about being more proud of the goal or the hit,Fantilli chose the goal,saying,”Definitely the goal,got us on the board. That was a big goal to go up three.”
Whirlwind 24 Hours
The game capped off a busy 24 hours for Leonard. The night before, he attended the 2025 Hobey Baker Award Presentation in St. Louis as a finalist before flying to Columbus for the Saturday matinee game.
**Will Ryan Leonard be in the Capitals lineup for the next game?**
Capitals’ Ryan Leonard Returns After Big Hit, Then Drops Gloves in NHL Debut: Q&A
Here’s a breakdown of Ryan Leonard’s eventful NHL debut, addressing key questions and interesting details:
Q&A:
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Q: What happened to Ryan Leonard during his debut?
A: he was hit hard by Adam Fantilli, underwent concussion protocol, returned to the game, and later fought Sean Kuraly. talk about a baptism by fire!
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Q: Was Fantilli’s hit clean?
A: Yes, it was deemed clean and legal, although it certainly left Leonard shaken.
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Q: How did Tom Wilson react to the hit?
A: Wilson protested from the bench, earning a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct and a misconduct penalty. He was clearly not happy about the hit on his teammate.
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Q: What happened promptly after the hit?
A: Fantilli scored a goal seconds later, extending Columbus’s lead. Talk about adding insult to injury!
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Q: What did Fantilli say about the hit and the goal?
A: He said he was “reaching for [the puck]” and chose the goal as the more crucial outcome.
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Q: What was Leonard doing the day before his debut?
A: He was at the Hobey Baker Award presentation as a finalist. Talk about going from a prestigious award ceremony to the rough-and-tumble of the NHL!
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Q: What’s the importance of Leonard’s fight in his debut?
A: It’s a bold statement and a sign of toughness, immediately endearing him to Capitals fans.
Ryan leonard’s debut showed resilience and grit. keep an eye on this young player!
