Niklas Kronwall has garnered a reputation for being one of the heaviest hitters in the NHL, stepping up on opposing forwards along the boards with thunderous impact.
Age and injuries have hindered him over the past few years, but on Tuesday the 36-year-old Red Wings defenseman delivered one of those vintage Kronwall hits, catching Nick Cousins of the Arizona Coyotes with a hard but clean body check during the first period.
THE KRONWALL HAS AWOKEN FROM THE DEAD! #ItsAliiiiiive 🎃👻#LGRW pic.twitter.com/TRLT5LNukK
— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) November 1, 2017
The Coyotes won for the first time this season on Monday, but they absorbed quite a hit on the score board from the Red Wings to open Tuesday’s game. Gustav Nyquist and Luke Glendening scored just over a minute apart early in the first period to put Detroit quickly ahead.
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Cam Tucker is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @CamTucker_Sport.