Nikita Zadorov of the Vancouver Canucks will have to explain his action against Lucas Raymond of the Detroit Red Wings earlier today.
Zadorov will have to speak with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety and he could face sanctions following his illegal hit.
The play occurred during the second period when Zadorov drove his elbow and shoulder into Raymond’s head just after the winger surrendered the puck at the blue line with the Wings on a run. Raymond took a while to get up, but left the ice under his own power. He then returned to the game.
Zadorov received a match penalty for this play, which was upheld after a review. He had a shot on goal 6:38 into the game before leaving as Raymond scored a goal in the opening minute of the game as the Red Wings won 4-3 in overtime.
Kane is back
The Detroit Red Wings removed forward Patrick Kane’s name from the injured list and he faced the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday.
The 35-year-old veteran has missed the team’s last seven games due to a lower body injury, suffered during the first period of the game between the Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs on January 14.
Kane has 16 points in 19 games this season, his first in a Red Wings uniform.
Sanderson is absent
Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson will miss Saturday night’s game against the Maple Leafs.
Sanderson suffered an injury during the January 31 game against the Red Wings. The team’s head coach Jacques Martin said he hoped the young defenseman would be back on skates sometime next week.
The 21-year-old guard has 24 points in 47 games this season.
