Islanders head coach Barry Trotz called the hit simply a “hockey play.”.
Screenshot thanks to NHL.
The Washington Capitals were furious with Anders Lees blindside hit that hurt Nicklas Backstrom after Video Game One, Wednesday.
” I do not understand if Nick was prepared or not,” Trotz stated. “Anders is a strong person, the hit was made and they responded, he and Wilson battled and that was probably the end of it. Well see.”.
John Carlson called the unsuspecting hit “real unclean”, TJ Oshie described it as “exceptionally late” and “low-cost”, and Todd Reirden stated it was “predatory.”.
In spite of the Capitals protestations, the NHLs Department of Player Safety will not be disciplining Anders Lee. The Athletics Arthur Staple reported the news on Twitter.
Lee was offered a two-minute disturbance charge during the game and was challenged to eliminate by John Carlson and Tom Wilson.
We would have heard from the league by now, however confirming theres no extra discipline coming for Anders Lee for his Game 1 hit on Nick Backstrom.
No head contact, which is normally the @NHLPlayerSafety standard for a hearing on an interference penalty. #Isles.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) August 13, 2020.
Full RMNB Coverage of WSH/NYI Game One.