Racial incidents

The NHL has had to previously deal with racial insults:

During the 2014 playoffs, the Boston Bruins denounced fans who posted racial comments on social media targeting then-montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban, who is black, after he scored in double overtime.

In 2011, a fan was fined $200 after pleading guilty to engaging in a prohibited activity for throwing a banana on the ice at Philadelphia Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds, who is black, during an exhibition game at London, Ontario. no player, coach, official or fan should ever have to endure such abuse at one of our games,” Bettman said.

The Capitals released a statement saying they are “extremely disappointed by the intolerant behavior” by a select group of fans in Chicago.

In thanking the Blackhawks and arena security, the Capitals said: “It is crucial to confront such appalling conduct.”

The Blackhawks issued a statement apologizing to Smith-pelly and the Capitals following the game, and said they “are committed to providing an inclusive environment.”

Video shows Smith-pelly seated in the penalty box while looking and pointing to his left. He then gets up with his stick and gets into a verbal exchange with a male fan on the other side of the glass.

Smith-pelly said he stepped forward publicly to call out the fans for what they said because he didn’t want to “brush it under the rug.”

“I guess I’m trying to get the conversation started and show whoever these people were their true colors,” he said.

Joining the Capitals on their road trip, which concludes at Buffalo on Monday, are players’ fathers, allowing Smith-pelly an opportunity to discuss what happened with his dad.

“We’ve had this conversation before,” said Smith-pelly, who is from Toronto. “So he said, ‘It’s just a few idiots being ignorant.’ ”

Smith-pelly has seven goals and nine assists in 54 games is in his first season with the Capitals.