Leafs' Matthew Knies Potentially Facing Supplemental Discipline for Dangerous Hit on Kovacevic
Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies may be getting a call from the NHL's Department of Player Safety after throwing a dangerous hit on Jonathan Kovacevic in Tuesday's win against New Jersey.
Midway through the third period in what was a very lopsided game between the Leafs and Devils on Monday, Devils defenseman Jonathan Kovacevic was attempting to play the puck and put himself in a vulnerable position to do so.
Unfortunately, the timing for Knies was not great as he finished his check as Kovacevic turned, sending him face-first into the dasher board.
Knies was given a minor for boarding on the play, but TSN's Mike Johnson said during the broadcast that he would have been okay with a major on the play.
His reasoning for potentially giving Knies a major is because the type of hit the former second-round pick delivered happens often in the league. These types of hits are often looked at by George Parros and the Department of Player Safety.
The Arizona native returned to the lineup against the Tampa Bay Lightning a week and a half ago, after missing two games from being on the receiving end of a high hit against Vegas.
Given that Kovacevic didn't miss any time, it's possible that Knies could escape supplemental discipline, but it wouldn't be the first time the DOPS makes a questionable decision when it comes to a Leafs player.
Knies is enjoying a breakout season with the Leafs where he has tallied 10 goals and 16 points in 26 games so far, spending most of his time flanking Auston Matthews and William Nylander or Mitch Marner.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 11 | 1778 ANSWERS Leafs' Matthew Knies Potentially Facing Supplemental Discipline for Dangerous Hit on Kovacevic Did officials get the call right on Knies? | ||
| Yes, that's all it warranted | 1210 | 68.1 % |
| No, should have been a major | 428 | 24.1 % |
| DOPS will be calling him | 140 | 7.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
