WASHINGTON -- Capitals forward Garnet Hathaway was ejected from Washington's 5-2 win on Monday over for spitting on a player from the Anaheim Ducks.

Hathaway spit on defenseman Erik Gudbranson during a brawl late in the second period, with referee Peter MacDougall standing a few feet away. Officials reviewed video before confirming the five-minute match penalty that triggers a game misconduct.

Here's a look at the festivities. pic.twitter.com/OLMbYQ5aeG

— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) November 19, 2019

By the way, here's the reason for the match penalty for Garnet Hathaway. pic.twitter.com/e3W97zFSKV

— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) November 19, 2019

Tempers flared in the first 40 minutes between Washington and Anaheim and boiled over with 33.4 seconds remaining in the second period. Capitals forward Brendan Leipsic bulldozed the Ducks' Derek Grant behind the net, sparking several fights between the teams' fourth lines.

Hathaway was involved with Grant, Gudbranson and Nick Ritchie during the scrum before he was thrown out.

Gudbranson, fellow Ducks defenseman Brendan Guhle, Ritchie and Leipsic were also penalized for their roles in the ruckus that took referees significant time to sort out. A total of 55 penalty minutes were handed out as Hathaway was sent off, Gudbranson was given a 10-minute misconduct and Anaheim came up empty on its ensuing power play in the third before Jakub Vrana added a fourth goal for Washington.

Even after the game misconduct that's automatic for spitting, Hathaway could face more discipline from the NHL office in the form of a fine or suspension.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.