No Punishment For Malkin On Boychuk Hit
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) — Penguins center Evgeni Malkin will not receive a fine or suspension for his hit on Boston's Johnny Boychuk Sunday.
Malkin hit Boychuk from behind late in the third period Sunday. Boychuk went crashing head first into the boards and was forced to leave the game for a period of time.
Boychuk eventually returned and finished the game. Malkin received a two-minute minor for boarding for the hit.
After the game, Malkin was apologetic about the hit.
"It's a little bit dangerous, of course, because it's near the far boards," Malkin said. "I said sorry, of course, but it's tough to say. I've not seen (the) replay. I (did) not jump. Nothing dangerous. I (hit) with shoulder, not (the) elbow — just shoulder. But he turned a little bit quick, and it (became) a dangerous hit."
The Bruins were upset with the hit. After the game Boston coach Claude Julien suggested that if the hit were by somebody else there would be further penalty.
"The league will have to look at it," Julien said. "It was a hit from behind. They're the ones that make those decisions. We don't like those hits."
The Bruins and Penguins have a history with dangerous hits. Several years ago Penguins winger Matt Cooke blindsided Bruins forward Marc Savard. At the time it was a legal hit in the NHL, but such hits have since been deemed illegal.
Savard has suffered multiple concussions and likely will not play in the NHL ever again.
Boychuk wasn't terribly candid about the hit following the game. When asked if it was illegal, Boychuk had little to say.
"It was a penalty," Boychuk said. "He got a penalty."
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