Peter Laviolette criticizes Islanders' vicious hit on Mika Zibanejad

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Julien Trekker
April 10, 2024 (12:42)

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Peter Laviolette, the New York Rangers head coach, criticized a vicious hit on Mika Zibanejad from Islanders' Adam Pelech on Tuesday night.

Last night's game between the New York teams was as crucial as it can be for the Islanders. They had the opoprtunity to take the lead in the tight race for the last Wild Card spot in the East, and they did just that, by winning 4-2.

Unfortunately for the Rangers, it didn't end there for them. In the third period, they lost Mika Zibanejad after a dangerous collision with Adam Pelech in the neutral zone.

Zibanejad was skating fast and Pelech just stood there. The Rangers' player had to leave the game, but managed to return to the bench a few minutes later

Watch how it went down in the following video:

It's tough to determine who should get blamed for the incident. Both players seem responsible, but according to Peter Laviolette, it's a vicious hit from Pelech on his star player.

Here's what he said in his comments after the game:

"He came back at the end. From that vicious hit. From that vicious shoulder elbow to the head. Watch it."

If the NHL's Department of Player Safety decides to act on this incident, we should know a bit later today.

More to come.

Source: Daily Hockey Dose - Peter Laviolette slams brutal and vicious hit on star Zibanejad.