NHL Player Safety should take a closer look at Nikita Zadorov's hit on Auston Matthews
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The NHL Player Safety Department may need to review Nikita Zadorov's hit on Auston Matthews after the Maple Leafs captain left Tuesday's game injured.
During Toronto's 5-3 loss to the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, captain Auston Matthews ended up leaving the game with an upper-body injury after getting hit from behind courtesy of defenseman Nikita Zadorov:
While the exact nature of the injury remains unclear, Matthews appeared frustrated and left the bench shortly after returning from a shift:
Matthews' exit from the game raises the question of whether the NHL Player Safety Department will review the play and determine if discipline is warranted.
Why the hit on Auston Matthews deserves NHL Player Safety's attention
The rules of the Player Safety Department state as follows:
Per Article 18.2 in the CBA between the NHL and the NHLPA:
In deciding on Supplementary Discipline for On-Ice Conduct, the following factors will be taken into account:
(a) The type of conduct involved: conduct in violation of League Playing Rules, and whether the conduct is intentional or reckless, and involves the use of excessive and unnecessary force. Players are responsible for the consequences of their actions.
(b) Injury to the opposing Player(s) involved in the incident.
(c) The status of the offender and, specifically, whether the Player has a history of being subject to Supplementary Discipline for On-Ice Conduct. Players who repeatedly violate League Playing Rules will be more severely punished for each new violation.
(d) The situation of the game in which the incident occurred, for example: late in the game, lopsided score, prior events in the game.
(e) Such other factors as may be appropriate in the circumstances.
In deciding on Supplementary Discipline for On-Ice Conduct, the following factors will be taken into account:
(a) The type of conduct involved: conduct in violation of League Playing Rules, and whether the conduct is intentional or reckless, and involves the use of excessive and unnecessary force. Players are responsible for the consequences of their actions.
(b) Injury to the opposing Player(s) involved in the incident.
(c) The status of the offender and, specifically, whether the Player has a history of being subject to Supplementary Discipline for On-Ice Conduct. Players who repeatedly violate League Playing Rules will be more severely punished for each new violation.
(d) The situation of the game in which the incident occurred, for example: late in the game, lopsided score, prior events in the game.
(e) Such other factors as may be appropriate in the circumstances.
Based on the sequence, several of these factors could apply in this case.
First, he was reckless by just shoving Matthews into the boards without care. The second rule is obvious as Matthews left the game.
The third rule broken is his previous conduct, having already been suspended for an illegal hit to the head so while he may not be extensively disciplined, it does set the precedent for him to receive something.
The fourth rule fits due to Zadorov also injuring Scott Laughton with a questionable hit during their game last Saturday.
The evidence is clear that Zadorov has broken the rules laid out by Player Safety.
What Nikita Zadorov said about the play after the game
If you were to ask the defenseman himself, he would argue the opposite and noted as such in his post-game interview, where he explained his actions:
It was just a normal play. I didn't really hit him. I hit my right shoulder, 99% of my hits in the NHL are with my right shoulder.
"There was really no intention to hurt him. I play hard against top players on the other team, that's my job.
"There was really no intention to hurt him. I play hard against top players on the other team, that's my job.
There is no denying Zadorov plays hard, but given his size and strength advantage he does have a higher risk at injuring players.
Granted, Zadorov did not cross-check Matthews into the boards, he did give him more of a shove than a shoulder according to the video but it does not excuse the fact he injured Matthews and broke the rules.
If the Bruins defender is going to be fined or suspended, the Player Safety Department has until 5pm ET on Wednesday to come to a decision.
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