When considering a matchup between the Arizona Coyotes and Florida Panthers, it's not common to anticipate an intensely physical game. Their infrequent encounters, just twice annually, and a lack of significant shared history, usually don't set the stage for high drama. Yet, in their recent game, an incident stood out as one of the season's most alarming.
In the game's second period, well after the puck had moved on, Jason Zucker made a reckless hit on Nick Cousins from behind. This hit caused Cousins to violently collide with the boards, face-first, leading to him collapsing on the ice in acute distress. Such an action is precisely what the NHL is striving to eliminate from the sport.
Following the hit, Gustav Forsling, Cousins' teammate, quickly engaged in a fight with Zucker. Zucker received a penalty breakdown of 5 minutes for fighting, another 5 for boarding, and a game misconduct, whereas Forsling was penalized with 5 minutes for fighting and an additional 2 minutes for instigating.
