The NHL's comical supplementary discipline system is just as guilty for Derek Stepan's broken jaw as Brandon Prust, the man who probably feels as though his predatory, injurious hit on the New York Rangers' first-line center on Thursday night was well worth it for his Montreal Canadiens.
Prust had nothing to lose and everything to gain from his late, vicious, head-hunting check on a defenseless Stepan, and he was probably well aware of that fact.
Here's how his thought process likely went:
"We're down 2-0 in this series. Our No. 1 goaltender is out for the series. If I take out their top center for the rest of the series, what's the worst that can happen? I get suspended for the rest of the series? I'm expendable. I play less than 10 minutes most nights and have been healthy scratched twice in the playoffs. This could even the playing field. Chances are, the incompetent officiating crew will miss the hit and if Stepan isn't seriously hurt, maybe I'll escape a suspension altogether and I'll try it again on someone else.
"Either way, I'll have the respect of my teammates and that's worth more th ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Dave Lozo
The NHL Is Just as Responsible for Derek Stepan Injury as Brandon Prust
May 23rd, 2014 by Dave Lozo Leave a reply »
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