Capitals coach fine with Zolnierczyk hit on Mathieu Perreault

In the waning moments of last night’s game, Flyers forward Harry Zolnierczy was given a five minute major and a game misconduct for a hit that he put on Capitals forward Mathieu Perreault. Apparently, Washington Capitals head coach Adam Oates is fine with the hit and didn’t think it was a dirty hit. After reviewing the hit again, I guess, I am fine, with the hit too then.

monumentalnetwork.com --- In the game’s final minute, Perreault was coming through the neutral zone when Philadelphia winger Harry Zolnierczyk checked the Washington center hard. Zolnierczyk was assessed a five-minute major for kneeing and a game misconduct, but Oates didn’t see anything wrong with the hit.

“I don’t think it’s dirty at all,” says Oates. “It’s the product of our whole game, quite honestly. There’s 30 seconds left, the game’s over and Matty [Perreault] thought that he could stickhandle through the team. That’s not what we do, all of us tonight. Guys are sitting there waiting for you and you get hit.

Harry Zolnierczyk knee on Mathieu Perreault

From the replay, it does look like the Flyers forward Harry Zolnierczyk catches Capitals forward Mathieu Perreault with a "dirty" knee check, just like Taylor Hall hit Cal Clutterbuck. It's a bit of a different angle so it's not as cut an dry in my opinion. If I was a betting man, and I am, I think a suspension is coming for Zolnierczyk

I would imagine that The NHL's Department of Player Safety will take a look at this hit. It's an unnecessary hit at the end of the game.