Fansided

Jay Beagle challenges Phil Kessel to Mario Kart

By Dave Stevenson |
May 1, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Chris Kunitz (14) handles the puck as Washington Capitals center Jay Beagle (83) pressures during the third period in game three of the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the PPG PAINTS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Chris Kunitz (14) handles the puck as Washington Capitals center Jay Beagle (83) pressures during the third period in game three of the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the PPG PAINTS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Jay Beagle has challenged Phil Kessel to a game of Mario Kart. Will he accept? 

Game 3 of the series between the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins got everyone worked up, including the players. Sidney Crosby’s concussion, suffered in the first period, was caused by high hits from Alex Ovechkin and Matt Niskanen. Obviously, the two teams have differing opinions on the hit. Jay Beagle initially said the playoffs should be nasty and the two teams enjoy going hard at each other.

Phil Kessel took issue with this quote, which was likely not relayed correctly or taken out of context. In response, he called Beagle “an idiot” if he thought Niskanen’s hit was clean. The Capitals center didn’t like that because he never said if the hit was clean. So Beagle decided to challenge Kessel to the greatest test of a man’s strength – a game of Mario Kart.

Who would win the race? Assuming we’re talking the best version of the game (Mario Kart 64), Kessel probably rolls with Bowser or Donkey Kong. He could be a Wario guy as well. Beagle seems like a Toad, Yoshi or Mario kind of guy. Assuming number 83 knows what he’s doing, he has a good chance of beating Kessel unless he picks up a convenient golden mushroom, thunderbolt or spiky shell.

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There’s only one way for this to be solved. The race has to happen on Rainbow Road. Preferably after a few beers. Live stream the whole thing on the internet. Winner gets bragging rights. This is a much better idea to solve a tie than a shootout. At least Mario Kart involves some real skill and everyone loves it.

Game 4 will happen on Wednesday night. Beagle and Kessel probably won’t be friends during it. But who knows, maybe Kessel takes Beagle up on his offer.

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