Rangers captain throws questionable hit, rookie Adam Fantilli gets right in his face

With just under 7 minutes in the first period, Trouba caught Marchenko attempting to cut across the middle of the ice in the Rangers' zone. Marchenko saw Trouba at the last minute and attempted to get out of the way, but Trouba still caught a piece of him, including catching Marchenko's knee.

Marchenko flew through the air and got up immediately, as his teammate and third overall pick in the 2023 draft, Adam Fantilli, came to his defense and engaged in a shoving match and conversation with Trouba. Luckily for Fantilli, that's all it was.

Some thought the hit was similar to the one that injured Rangers defenseman Adam Fox, while others saw no issue with it. Following the game, Fantilli commented on confronting Trouba after the hit.

Trouba has always been one to make big, clean hits that often toe the line, but Player Safety never seems to think that he has crossed it. Once again, no one but the fans of his opponent and the opponents themselves see anything wrong with the hit. Trouba was only assessed a minor for roughing when Fantilli engaged with him, which was a questionable call in its own regard.