Update: Reports indicate that the NHL’s Department of Player Safety is indeed looking into the hit.
***
As thrilling as this Pittsburgh Penguins - Washington Capitals series has been, it seems like every game presents another controversial hit.
Game 3’s most noteworthy entry (so far?) came when Kris Letang was whistled for interference on Marcus Johansson.
Penguins fans griped that Brooks Orpik didn’t get a major penalty for his hit on Olli Maatta ... now Capitals fans likely feel the same about the check Letang delivered.
Watch it in the video above. Also, Stefanie “My Regular Face” has it in GIF form:
Things could get ugly in Game 3:
Tom Wilson decides to confront Letang.
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) May 3, 2016
What started as Sid vs. Ovi is turning into the suspension series.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 3, 2016
One factor in a suspension happening - or at least the duration of the suspension - would be what the point of contact was:
Now the question is what is the point of contact on Marcus Johansson hit. Head or shoulder ?
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) May 3, 2016
Also, lateness of the check:
FWIW, Letang on MJ90 was 19 digital frames from release of puck to contact. 30 frames in 1 second. So .63 of a second.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) May 3, 2016
By comparison, Orpik on Maatta was 31 digital frames, or a full second and a bit. That was extraordinarily late by NHL standards.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) May 3, 2016
The Penguins ended the first period up 2-0 against the Capitals, even though Washington played one of its best 20 minutes of the series. Expect more drama.
The Penguins went 2-8-1 without Kris Letang this season, by the way.
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) May 3, 2016
Update: The Penguins won the game 3-2.