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Watch: Rangers' Jacob Trouba delivers another questionable hit
New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba is one of the most physical players in the NHL and one of the league's most feared hitters.
Along with that, he is also one of the league's most controversial players because he makes his living delivering those hits right on the line between legal and dirty.
For the most part, the league has always taken his side in that regard and he has mostly avoided supplementary discipline for his many hits that have left a wake of injuries in their path.
He had another hit that is going to get a lot of attention on Sunday afternoon in the Rangers' 4-3 overtime win over the Florida Panthers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final.
As Florida's Evan Rodrigues was cutting through the zone and making a move for the net, Trouba blatantly stuck his elbow out clipped Rodrigues in the head.
He was given a two-minute minor on the play, while ESPN analyst P.K. Subban argued that it should have been a major as it was not a hockey play.
This is a MAJOR penalty!!!#nhl #hockey #playoffs #rangers #panthers #newyork #florida #nyc #nyrangers #trouba #hit #game3 #abc pic.twitter.com/oMCeiYl3Ij
— P.K. Subban (@PKSubban1) May 26, 2024
Clearly NOT a hockey play#nhl #hockey #playoffs #rangers #panthers #newyork #florida #nyc #nyrangers #trouba #hit #game3 #abc pic.twitter.com/6hpByQZvM3
— P.K. Subban (@PKSubban1) May 26, 2024
Panthers coach Paul Maurice did not want to offer any opinion on the play or the call, simply saying he had enough on his plate trying to be a coach.
The NHL's Department of Player Safety reviews everything, but given how much Trouba has gotten away with in the past and how high the bar seems to be for discipline come playoff time there is a very real possibility that Trouba will again avoid any discipline.
At some point, however, he is going to fly too close to the sun and end up going too far over the line and the DoPS will have no choice but to discipline him.
Until then there does not seem to be any change in the way he is going to play.
More must-reads:
- Unlikely hero helps Rangers steal Game 3 over Panthers
- Rangers rule out depth forward for Game 3 against Panthers
- The 'NBA Summer League MVPs' quiz
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