The recent clash between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Montreal Canadiens took a dark turn. Nikita Kucherov delivered a hit on Kaiden Guhle that left the young defenseman bloodied and shaken. The incident has sparked debate about whether Kucherov will face suspension for the controversial hit.
During the game, Kucherov’s hit on Guhle looked concerning. Despite the play not being penalized on the ice, replays clearly showed that Kucherov hit Guhle from behind. This move is deemed illegal by NHL standards, especially in light of recent crackdowns on violent hits, so he could face disciplinary action.NHL insider Eric Engels’ fresh update hints that Kucherov will not face additional disciplinary actions from the DoPS.
The Department of Player Safety (DoPS) has been vigilant in addressing dangerous plays, and Kucherov’s hit on Guhle is likely to come under scrutiny.If you look at Kucherov’s stats this season, and the juncture the Lightning is currently at, a suspension could halt both those hopes. Kucherov has scored 43 goals and 90 assists for 133 points in 75 games.
Given the severity of the hit and the league’s emphasis on player safety, it would be surprising if Nikita Kucherov avoided a suspension.