The Eastern Conference final has now seen two games, and thus far, it has been incredible. The strong hitting feels like old-fashioned hockey, and while there have been many legitimate hits, there have also been a good number of pranks that tow or cross the line.
Dimitry Kulikov of the Florida Panthers nailed Alex Wennberg of New York with a dubious hit last night. It looks like he hurled himself at him from one angle, but if you look at it from another, you can see that he had his elbow in and that he elevated one leg only to take a step rather than gain further momentum. Is this kind of hit—rather than just this hit suspension deserving, though?
As someone who watches the game and gets to express their thoughts, I find it refreshing that hits like these get reviewed. Although the fundamentals of the game shouldn't alter, it's crucial that there be a way to analyze every aspect of what transpires during.
Players who don't keep their heads up will get hit since the game is faster now than it has ever been. Was this an instance of a player attempting to reach a puck without looking around him? It sure seemed to. It is imperative that the league ensures everyone understands their part in maintaining game safety if they are serious about sending their players home at the end of the night.
