WATCH: Alex Ovechkin takes Torey Krug slapshot directly to groin

Alex Ovechkin was just minding his own business in front of the Captials' net when all of the sudden Torey Krug's slap shot hit him directly in the groin. Ouch.

Alex Ovechkin was in a lot of pain after blocking Torey Krug's shot. (NBCSN/Pete Blackburn)

Perhaps you’ve heard of Alex Ovechkin’s renewed commitment to defense under the watchful eye of Washington Capitals head coach Barry Trotz this year. The Great Eight is getting back into his own zone -- deep into his own zone -- to help out when the other team has the puck.

That’s exactly what he was doing Sunday evening against the Boston Bruins and as Ovechkin learned, defense can be hard. Sometimes, it can also be extremely painful.

When Bruins defenseman Torey Krug had an open look from the point, Capitals forward Tom Wilson and defenseman Tim Gleason didn’t exactly get into a good position to block the shot, though they tried. Ovechkin, meanwhile, was casually standing in front of the Capitals’ net. He never saw it coming.

Vine via @PeteBlackburn:

He didn’t mean to do it, but he blocked that heavy shot from Krug. And we hope Ovi was wearing his very best protective cup because he took that one below the belt.

Hockey hurts, folks. Hurts bad.

Coming into Sunday’s action, Ovechkin has been credited with 29 blocked shots. I’m guessing none of them hurt as much as that one, though.