In a series which has seemingly featured a head shot per game, Evgeni Malkin hit Daniel Winnik, surprise surprise, in the head. The play, which happened mid-way through the second period, occurred while the Caps were on the penalty kill.
Malkin was not penalized.
It appears Malkin was trying to hit Winnik in the left shoulder, but missed. Winnik’s head was the principle point of contact. Malkin’s skates stayed on the ice until his hit was delivered.
Winnik missed several minutes of game time and went back to the locker room. He returned to the bench later in the period, but did not play.
Malkin had a big hit on Winnik, who was slumped over as he went to the bench and went right down the tunnel to the room.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) May 5, 2016
Winnik did not return in the third period per NHL.com’s Katie Brown.
No Winnik for the start of the third period.
— Katie Brown (@katiebhockey) May 5, 2016
Caps say Daniel Winnik has an upper-body injury and is being evaluated.
— Katie Brown (@katiebhockey) May 5, 2016
There’s no telling if the Department of Player Safety will penalize the hit, but if the Pens lose Malkin, even for a game, that will be a huge loss.
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