That is far from the case as the intensity has ramped up and teams are preparing themselves for long games down the stretch.
The Penguins took on the high-flying Winnipeg Jets as the Penguins are looking to stabilize their team and make a run for a playoff spot.
With the Penguins up 1-0, at 15:45 of the second their building went silent as Penguins forward Noel Acciari took a crushing hit to the head from Jets defender Brendan Dillon.
The hit sent Acciari flying to the ice and looked dazed as he skated to the bench and off to the dressing room.
Brendan Dillon was given a match penalty for an illegal check to the head and was forced to leave the game due to concussion protocol.
In my view, Brendan Dillon had intent to injury as this kind of hit is unnecessary and needs to be removed from the game.
Hard hitting below the head and good tough play of fine with me, but this nonsense isn't needed.
It's uncertain whether Brendan Dillon will face extra penalties from the NHL player and safety committee, but judging on the video on how devastating it looked I would expect him to at least get a hearing.
POLL | ||
Will Brendan Dillon receive suspension for his brutal head shot on Noel Acciari? | ||
Yes - get that stuff out of the league | 96 | 76.8 % |
No - Was a hard hit | 29 | 23.2 % |
List of polls |