Artemi Panarin, the New York Rangers’ star winger, delivered a jarring hit on Washington Capitals’ T.J. Oshie during Game 2 of their playoff series on Tuesday. The hit occurred in the third period and sent Oshie flying to the ice. Connor McMichael of the Capitals went after Panarin, perceiving the hit as dirty, while Oshie remained on one knee, visibly shaken.
The officials initially called a penalty but went to video review to determine if Panarin should receive a five-minute major penalty. However, after reviewing the footage, the referees ruled that Panarin’s hit was clean and that he would not be penalized. Instead, McMichael was penalized for roughing, giving the Rangers a power play.
The decision sparked a debate about the legality of the hit. Some argued that it was a clean hit, while others believed Panarin should have been penalized at least a two-minute minor. The referees’ decision was a surprise, even to the most enthusiastic Rangers fans.
Oshie was forced to leave the game for an evaluation due to concussion protocol but later returned and played the final minutes. The Rangers held on for a 4-3 victory, taking a 2-0 lead in the series. Panarin’s hit is likely to be a major topic of discussion on sports talk radio and among hockey fans.
