Milan Lucic made an impression during his first game as a member of the Los Angeles Kings. He just didn’t make an especially positive one.
He ended the night without a point and a -2 rating, yet the end of his night may prove to be the biggest problem.
In case you didn’t watch this post’s video, San Jose Sharks forward Logan Couture caught Lucic with a check as Couture left the penalty box.
Lucic didn’t expect it, and basically blew a gasket; one would assume that the eventual 5-1 loss didn’t put the former Boston Bruins brute in a better mood, either. Lucic received a match penalty for his retaliation, so we’ll see how the league handles that and another incident or two from that testy game.
Kings coach Darryl Sutter wasn’t pleased with the situation, specifically that Lucic received a match penalty.
DS, on Lucic penalty: "I don't know how many of you guys were still in your seats, but I was sill in mine. At best, that's a minor penalty."
— LA Kings Insider (@lakingsinsider) October 8, 2015
“I don’t know why I got a match penalty,” Lucic said, according to the OC Register’s Rich Hammond. “I didn’t cross any line.”
NHL will look at Lucic match penalty, to review the automatic suspension, and will almost certainly take a look at Brown hit.
— Rich Hammond (@Rich_Hammond) October 8, 2015
One way or another, Couture seems to get the last laugh (while Brent Burns got the pizza).
Logan Couture on Milan Lucic's reaction: "I didn't think there was players that you're not allowed to hit in the league."
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) October 8, 2015
Considering the hit he received from Dustin Brown, Couture was definitely in the thick of things on Wednesday.
If you’re eager to see these two in-state rivals slog it out again, you won’t need to wait long. Their next meeting is on Oct. 22.