Saturday’s Game 4 between the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators was an absolute powder keg.
After Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin was seemingly knocked unconscious by a massive hit from Senators defender Tyler Kleven, the heat between the two teams intensified.
During one of the many ensuing scrums in the second period, Senators forward Ridly Greig sucker-punched a defenseless Sean Walker.
While Walker was being held and bent over by Warren Foegele, Greig appeared to check to see if an official was looking — never a good sign that what you’re about to do next is legal — and then wound up and delivered him a swift uppercut to the head.
Greig was not one of the two players sent to the box for roughing during the fracas. Due to that, Walker apparently chose to take justice into his own hands, boarding Greig from behind later in the period. Walker received a two-minute minor for boarding, his second minor penalty of the period.
During TNT’s intermission show, Anson Carter believed that NHL Player Safety would fine Greig $5,000, while Paul Bissonnette thought a more severe punishment could be coming. Bissonnette said if he were involved in the play, he would be waiting for Greig outside the locker room after the game because of just how little respect the Senators player showed.
Ultimately, the Hurricanes would go on to complete a series sweep of the Senators, defeating Ottawa 4-2. The Senators never held a lead in the series.
