The Washington Capitals were furious with Anders Lee’s blindside hit that injured Nicklas Backstrom after Game One, Wednesday.
John Carlson called the unsuspecting hit “real dirty”, TJ Oshie described it as “extremely late” and “cheap”, and Todd Reirden said it was “predatory.”
Despite the Capitals’ protestations, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety will not be disciplining Anders Lee. The Athletic’s Arthur Staple reported the news on Twitter.
We would have heard from the league by now, but confirming there's no supplemental discipline coming for Anders Lee for his Game 1 hit on Nick Backstrom.
No head contact, which is normally the @NHLPlayerSafety standard for a hearing on an interference penalty. #Isles
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) August 13, 2020
Lee was given a two-minute interference penalty during the game and was challenged to fights by John Carlson and Tom Wilson.
Islanders head coach Barry Trotz called the hit just a “hockey play.”
“I don’t know if Nick was ready or not,” Trotz said. “Anders is a strong guy, the hit was made and they responded, he and Wilson fought and that was probably the end of it. We’ll see.”
Full RMNB Coverage of WSH/NYI Game One
Screenshot courtesy of NHL
