John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Had Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s reverse hit on Jake Guentzel Monday night not been correctly penalized as interference, it would have been considered a clean hit by NHL standards.
But should it? The reverse hit, like having to fight after administering a clean hit, is something that has crept into the game in the past 10 to 15 years. Niklas Kronwall, formerly of the Detroit Red Wings, was a master at it.
But they are potentially dangerous hits for a couple of reasons. The first is the guy being hit has no idea that it’s coming. Second, you’re usually dealing with a guy who is leaving his feet. It’s something that has become weaponized over the years.
Is it time the NHL looked at penalizing these kinds of hits?
Here’s more in today’s video column, which includes a discussion of what some GMs said on the issue:
(Don’t see the video? Click here.)
Place your vote at our forum: Should the NHL penalize all reverse hits?
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Related: Remember When NHL Players Could Take A Hit Without Fighting?
