Video: Rangers' Derek Stepan takes out Mike Green with headshot
Larry Brooks of the NY Post reports tonight that the NHL will review this hit by Derek Stepan(notes) of the New York Rangers to the head of Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green(notes) in the first period on Friday night in D.C.
Stepan, who wasn't penalized, got the lone helper on that goal by former Cap Steve Eminger(notes) and then scored the Rangers' fourth goal later in the game. New York had a 4-0 lead after two periods.
Two keys for any suspension talk on this play. First, Green's health, as he didn't return to the game and battled "inner ear trauma" for the last two weeks after being struck with a puck to the head against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Feb. 6. But the NHL also looks at the catalysts for these incidents, and Green crosschecked Stepan from behind moments before the headshot.
So, as we say on Puck Daddy Radio: Rule 48 or let Stepan skate?
