NHL Player Safety on four recent hits …
NHL Player Safety: The NHL Department of Player Safety explains how they determine the main point of contact of a hit under Rule 48.
It is important to note that the head being the main point of contact on a hit does NOT automatically mean the hit is an Illegal Check to the Head. Rule 48.1 outlines the scenarios under which head contact is unavoidable and therefore excusable. pic.twitter.com/iboMwn0jpN
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) April 20, 2018
On the Boston Bruins …
Matt Kalman: The Bruins didn’t practice yesterday but Patrice Bergeron was on the ice with their skills coach.
Kyle Bukauskas: Coach Bruce Cassidy said it was a positive that Patrice Bergeron was able to skate yesterday and that they’ll decide today as to whether he plays or not.
On the Columbus Blue Jackets …
Aaron Portzlina: Have been told that Alexander Wennberg and his upper-body injury haven’t been ruled out for rest of the series yet. It’s obviously not known if they’ll be two or three games left, but there is still the chance that he’ll return to the Blue Jackets lineup soon.
On the New Jersey Devils …
Mike Morreale: Coach John Hynes on defenseman Sami Vatanen: “If winds up not playing, you have to change some things around. He’s an important part of our team but if he can’t play it’s next man up. It’s not about the guys out of your lineup, it’s about the performance of the guys in your lineup.”
On the San Jose Sharks …
Kevin Kurz: Joe Thornton doesn’t look like he’s skating at game speed during practices. There is still some time before the start of round two, but impression is that he’ll be doubtful for Game 1.
On the Washington Capitals …
Isabelle Khurshudyan: Forward Andre Burakovsky didn’t travel with the team for Game 3 and 4 and it was announced yesterday that he requires minor surgery to fix an undisclosed upper-body injury.
Burakovsky will miss the rest of this series, but he may not be out for the rest of the playoffs if the Capitals get past the first round.
On the Winnipeg Jets …
Winnipeg Jets PR: Forward Joel Armia left last night’s game early with an upper-body injury.