Pratfall alert: Alex Ovechkin falls backwards over the boards (VIDEO)

It's been a violent, nasty couple of weeks. Since the playoffs began, there have been dirty hits, crosschecks, elbows, ejections, and sucker punches. Day after day, it's been suspensions and fines and people shaking their head at the heinousness of today's game. The NHL playoffs have not produced much worth laughing about thus far.

So let's change that! Here's a clip of Alex Ovechkin falling over the boards like a stooge!

Ha ha! He fell down!

Now, was Ovechkin just so gassed he didn't have anything left to step over the boards? Did someone pull his chair out from under him? Maybe the boards are just too darn high?

Whatever. He fell, and it elicited a chuckle in this world-weary individual. Thank you to the Capitals' captain for bringing laughter at this difficult time. We salute you, Alex Ovechkin. You are the Patch Adams of the NHL.