In the third period of the Boston Bruins' 3-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday night, Evgeni Malkin avoided a Zdeno Chara hit and then skated right into a helmet-to-helmet check by Daniel Paille.
Were this the National Football League, this would have earned a personal foul for unnecessary roughness. Thankfully, we're the NHL:
From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
Malkin was leveled by Boston left wing Daniel Paille about two minutes later. While carrying the puck down the right wing boards, Malkin attempted to avoid the hit, but Paille's helmet banged off Malkin's face. Malkin stayed on the ice for almost a minute and then went to the locker room briefly before returning to finish the third period.
There was no penalty on the play, nor should there have been. As for Malkin … boy, violent things just happen in that part of the rink for him. Remember the Keith Ballard hip check, in nearly the same spot?