Thomas Hickey is involved in a controversial hit, yet the greater debate may revolve around the one he received rather than the one he delivered.
In the second period, the New York Islanders defenseman connected for a thunderous hit on Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jonathan Drouin, which sidelined Drouin for a chunk of Game 3.
Many believe that hit was legal:
The Islanders are upset about the Brian Boyle hit on Hickey in overtime, which came moments before Boyle scored the game-winning goal. You can see the full sequence here, with the hit happening around the 50-second mark:
Islanders head coach Jack Capuano believes that it was a suspension-worthy hit.
Capuano was fired up. "It's clearly a head shot."
— Joe McDonald (@JoeyMacHockey) May 4, 2016
You’re not going to believe this, but the Lightning disagree.
Cooper on Boyle hit: "How many hits were in that game? 70? 80? There were 15 more hits in that game that were harder."
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) May 4, 2016
Boyle clearly didn’t receive a penalty on that sequence, yet one would imagine that the league will at least take a look at that hit.