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No suspension for Flyers’ Rinaldo for hit on Caps’ Grabovski

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The NHL has decided that Philadelphia Flyers tough guy Zac Rinaldo won’t receive a fine or suspension for his hit on Washington Capitals forward Mikhail Grabovski from Friday.

League discipline rep Brendan Shanahan posted an explanation for the lack of supplementary discipline on Twitter, asserting that Grabovski put himself in a vulnerable position while Rinaldo “stayed low” with his elbow. Shanahan also believes that Rinaldo, 23, didn’t charge Grabovski, 29.

Shanahan posted a screenshot to clarify his explanation:

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Here’s video of the hit for your own perusal, though:

Grabovski told CSNWashington.com last night that he wasn’t happy with the check, but at least he seems OK.

“Chara? No, not Chara,” Grabovski said. “Not a smart play. It wasn’t the first time. I remember what he do. It was a pretty hard hit but I’m OK right now and ready to play next game.”

(Zdeno Chara delivered these two checks on Grabovski in 2011.)

Overall, the Capitals might not be pleased with how this turned out, but the bright side is that it seems like their newly minted second-line center should make it to the season-opener in one piece.

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins