As you can clearly see in the replays above, Matthews appears more focused on the puck than he is on Mittelstadt. I don't think the hit was intentional, as Matthews was swinging his stick backward to knock the puck away. There's no question, though, that there appears to be some head contact.
If Matthews is suspended, it will mark the second time in as many seasons where #34 will have been suspended. Oddly enough, both suspensions will have come against the Buffalo Sabres - this hit on Mittelstadt and his cross check to the neck of Rasmus Dahlin during the Heritage Classic in Hamilton last season.
POLL | ||
19 NOVEMBRE | 1081 ANSWERS Auston Matthews facing possible suspension after questionable hit Will the Department of Player Safety suspend Matthews for his hit to the head of Casey Mittelstadt? | ||
Yes | 191 | 17.7 % |
No | 890 | 82.3 % |
List of polls |