Get this: the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins seem divided on the legality of Kris Letang’s hit on Marcus Johansson.
(Take a moment to gather your thoughts amid this shocking revelation.)
You can watch the hit over and over in the video above. This post features some takes on that check, which the NHL’s Department of Player Safety is reportedly reviewing.
Generally speaking, the three things people discuss regarding the check is how late it might be, if Letang used his feet and if Johansson’s head was the principal point of contact.
Letang told his side of the story:
#penguins Kris Letang on Marcus Johansson hit. "I tried to step up." didn't know if he hits his head, to fast. Didn't see the replay.
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) May 3, 2016
Sullivan on Letang hit: "It's a body check."
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) May 3, 2016
Kris Letang on the Marcus Johansson hit: pic.twitter.com/uiA95a09XV
— Seth Rorabaugh (@SethRorabaugh) May 3, 2016
The Capitals disagree:
Johansson: "He obviously leaves his feet and hits me in the head. I guess that’s the kind of play you want out of the League."
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) May 3, 2016
Asked if he thinks Kris Letang deserves the same 3-game punishment as Brooks Orpik, Johansson said, 'Yeah, I’d say so.' #CapitalsTalk
— Chuck Gormley (@CharlesAGormley) May 3, 2016
While Barry Trotz pleads the Fifth after his previous comments about Brooks Orpik’s suspension:
Trotz: "I'm going to let the league handle it." Says Johansson was vulnerable. "I'll just get myself in trouble if I say anything more."
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) May 3, 2016
No doubt about it, Letang’s status is the top story to follow in this series between Games 3 and 4. We’ll find out soon enough how it all shakes out.
Make no mistake. Letang will have a hearing...will be suspended. Will probably get 1 game. This is more about timing of hit, than target.
— John Shannon (@JShannonhl) May 3, 2016
All that said: Letang probably gets a game. Trotz already planted the seed for "the NHL is in the tank for the Penguins."
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) May 3, 2016