A banner night for Capitals

Alex Ovechkin and the Stanley Cup champion Capitals opened their title defense with a 7-0 thrashing of the Bruins on Wednesday night in Washington.

After watching the franchise’s first Stanley Cup banner ascend to the rafters, T.J. Oshie opened the scoring just 24 seconds in, and Evgeny Kuznetsov scored the first of his two goals 1½ minutes later to get the rout off to a fast start. It was the fastest first two goals by a defending champion in an opener in NHL history.

Before the game, Capitals forward Tom Wilson was banned 20 games for a blindside hit to the head of an opponent during a preseason game. Wilson’s fourth ban in less than 13 months will cost him nearly a quarter of the season — only five NHL players have been suspended longer for on-ice play — and $1.26 million in salary.

◆ The NHL is finalizing plans to expand to Seattle, with an eye on voting to approve the league’s 32nd team in December.

◆ Canucks forward Bo Horvat said the team has banned the online video game Fortnite.

Ronaldo denies allegation

Cristiano Ronaldo denied the accusations of rape against him, saying Wednesday that he had a “clear conscience” as he awaits the conclusions of an investigation. Kathryn Mayorga, 33, said the Portuguese soccer great raped her in Las Vegas in 2009.

◆ Texas Tech freshman quarterback Alan Bowman has been released from a hospital four days after sustaining a partially collapsed lung against West Virginia.

◆ Former NFL star and Lions executive Matt Millen, 60, is stepping away from his Big Ten Network analyst job for the rest of this season. He has amyloidosis and is seeking a heart transplant.