Lubomir Visnovsky has been a revelation for the Anaheim Ducks this season: Battling with Nicklas Lidstrom for the NHL scoring title for defensemen and playing his way into the Norris Trophy conversation.
But after this hit by Douglas Murray of the San Jose Sharks last night, the Ducks are waiting to see if they might have to face life without Lubo for a bit (no sound):
The Ducks said after last night's 4-2 loss to the Sharks that Visnovsky suffered an upper body injury. From Ducks Blog, Coach Randy Carlyle assessed the hit:
"Doug Murray takes a run at Visnovsky from halfway … I counted the steps," Carlyle said. "Took five steps. Just watched it. He comes halfway across the rink to run at a guy. But that's OK. And then pile-drived the guy into the boards."
The Ducks coach was also furious after what he felt was the wrong call on Jason Blake that led to Devin Setoguchi's eventual game-winner with 5:21 remaining in the third. From Ducks Blog, Carlyle on the battle between Blake and Ryane Clowe that led to the call:
"I just reviewed it," Carlyle said. "Blake's got no helmet on. Clowe hits him in the head with his stick. That's what starts it. And then two players are kind of mugging one another. We come out of it with the disadvantage. I felt that it's a chicken call in a tight hockey game. That's stuff that they let go throughout the evening. And to make a call like that in a 2-2 game in the third period."
Those two plays, and the general stress of the playoff chase, led to this display from Carlyle after the game. Amateur lip-readers, enjoy (stick-tap to Bryan Austin):
Carlyle's right that Murray gave Visnovsky a bit extra into the boards, but one can argue that he's sprinting over to defend a shot before that. Borderline play that veers close to illegality with the finish (but no penalty called).
What say you on the hit?