Oshie and Todd Reirden go above and beyond for teammate Devante Smith-Pelley

The Washington Capitals lost 8-5 on Sunday to the Chicago Blackhawks in a game full of highlights, but none were as big as the opening puck drop. The story goes back one year ago when the defending Stanley Cup Champions visited United Centre where fans started chanting "Basketball" when Smith-Pelly was in the penalty box.

During the ugly 7-1 loss, Devante Smith-Pelly found himself in the middle of a racial argument after four fans next to the penalty box began chanting "Basketball" one year ago when the Caps last visited the Blackhawks' arena. Have a look at the video:

Blackhawks fans chant "basketball, basketball, basketball" at black Capitals vet Devante Smith-Pelly after fight, get ejected https://t.co/y54d6RhfMm pic.twitter.com/8XHWOWuihi

— Busted Coverage (@bustedcoverage) 18 February 2018

In an era where racism hasn't stopped, it's something nobody should suffer from. Despite the chants one year ago, teammate T.J. Oshie and coach Todd Reirden showed Chicago what the word 'respect' means by starting DSP in Oshie's place during the national anthem. NBC's Pierre McGuire noted that it was Oshie's idea in the first place, very classy of his teammate.

TJ Oshie went to Todd Reirden and said: "I think it would be a really good idea when we come into Chicago to start Devante Smith-Pelly in my place. And to Todd Reidren's credit, he said "That's a really good idea." It shows you how tight this group is as a team.

While racism is trying to be eradicated by professional sports. It's always nice to see such wholesome moments happen every now and then.