Sounds like Gabriel Landeskog knows how dangerous his hit on Brad Marchand was.
Landeskog, who was given a match penalty and tossed from Thursday’s 3-2 win over Boston for an illegal check to Marchand’s head, said afterward he knew the Boston forward was in a defenseless spot.
“He is in vulnerable position, I try to let up,” Landeskog said, per Lowell Sun Sports. “I hit his shoulder first and I’m happy he wasn’t hurt.”
The Avs captain also said he tried to skate up and apologize to Marchand after the hit -- to which Marchand responded by punching Landeskog in the head.
#NHLBruins Marchand said his punch to #avalanche Landeskog was in heat of moment.
— Shawn Hutcheon (@ShawnHutcheon) November 13, 2015
#NHLBruins Marchand, "I’m sure he (Landeskog) didn’t mean it. I don’t think he’s a dirty player so, you know, it’s hockey. It is what it is"
— Shawn Hutcheon (@ShawnHutcheon) November 13, 2015
Per CSNNE’s Joe Haggerty, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety is looking at both players following the incident:
A source indicated to CSNNE.com that both Landeskog and Marchand are being reviewed by the NHL Department of Player Safety: Landeskog for his reckless check on Marchand, and the B’s left winger for his reactionary “sucker punch” of the Avs forward.
Marchand has a history with supplemental discipline, and was suspended two games last season for slew-footing Rangers forward Derick Brassard.
Landeskog has never been suspended over the course of his five-year career, but was fined for throwing a punch at Minnesota captain Mikko Koivu at the end of a game against the Wild last season.