NHL Player Safety officially rules on Nikita Zadorov's hit from behind on Auston Matthews
Photo credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Nikita Zadorov injured Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews on Tuesday, and moments ago, we got an official ruling from the NHL Department of Player Safety.
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews went down with a lower-body injury on Tuesday night after a hit from behind from Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov.
On Saturday, Zadorov injured Scott Laughton, who has had to miss two games since that hit to the head. Needless to say, he was already getting on the bad side of Maple Leafs fans.
Zadorov was not penalized for his hit on Matthews, and Maple Leafs fans were hoping that NHL Player Safety would come through and deliver some supplemental discipline.
They were hoping the same in the case of the Scott Laughton hit, although, as we all know by now, that discipline never came.
Nikita Zadorov gets off scot-free for hitting Auston Matthews
The NHL Department of Player Safety had until 5 PM today to make its decision on Zadorov. In the end, they opted not to fine or suspend the player.
Quite frankly, it doesn't even seem like this was a hit that was on the league's radar. Instead, they felt like it was just one of those unfortunate hockey plays.
It is definitely unfortunate for the Toronto Maple Leafs, who remain a mediocre team right now, with or without Auston Matthews on the ice.
The team is currently sixth in the Atlantic Division, and they have a record of 8-8-1, which simply isn't good enough.
Only time will tell whether or not Auston Matthews can return to the lineup swiftly, and if the team can get itself back in gear amid an awful start.
If they cannot make that happen, then there are going to be a lot of angry Maple Leafs fans. This fanbase wants a successful team, but for some, the panic button must be pressed.
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